India's three-match T20I series against South Africa unlikely to happen

Over the past few months, COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the financial aspect of several major cricket boards. Cricket South Africa (CSA) was in a sorry state even before the pandemic started affecting the cricketing scenario.

The South African board is expected to declare a small profit at their annual meeting on September 5. However, losses that could amount to USD 57.6 million by the end of 2022 as rights cycle continues to loom over the board.

South Africa were hoping to tour India in August

In order to bolster their shaking finances, Cricket South Africa was planning to visit India for playing three T20Is. “We had a teleconference with India [the previous day] and we’re encouraged by their willingness to honour the agreement to play the three T20s in August, and if that’s postponed maybe a bit later,” CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul had said in May.

However, considering the current COVID-19 situation in India, the T20I series now seems unlikely to happen. As reported by Cricbuzz, the money which was included in the estimation of earnings for the coming months was removed from the budget, indicating that the series against India wasn’t feasible.

CSA, relatively a smaller body in global cricket, were anticipated to struggle to gain the attention of the richest cricketing body in the world. The BCCI is one of the most sought-after board at present, with every cricketing body wanting to play a series against India. However, considering the relationship between CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, CSA was hopeful that it would’ve made a difference.

Earlier in May, Smith had even backed Ganguly to get into the role of president of the ICC. ” It would be great to see a cricket man like Sourav Ganguly get into the role of president of the ICC. That will be good for the game and good for the modern game. He understands it, he’s played it as the highest level, he’s respected, and his leadership will be key to us going forward. That would be a great appointment,” Smith had said.

At the moment, India’s only confirmed fixtures are against Australia. The Virat Kohli-led side is slated to play three T20Is in October and three Tests in December in Australia.