SA vs IND: CSA release promo for upcoming series featuring Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has released the promo for India’s tour of South Africa, starting in less than two days. The legendary Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa also featured in the promo of one minute. The tour starts with a three-match Test series, starting Sunday, December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Johannesburg and Cape Town will host the other two Tests.

The promo showed glimpses of India’s previous tour of South Africa where an Indian batter got run out at the non-striker’s end while trying to steal a single. Virat Kohli, the then all-format skipper of the visitors, was seen speaking at a press conference. The Delhi-born Kohli was India’s leading run-scorer in the Test series and he didn’t flatter to deceive in the 50-over format as well. ‘

Here’s the promo

India’s tour of South Africa postponed earlier

The tour was set to start on December 17 with the opening Test at the iconic Wanderers in Johannesburg, but the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus played spoilsport to some extent. Keeping in mind the safety and well-being of the cricketers, the matches had to be postponed. Moreover, the T20I series that was scheduled to take place has been postponed to next year.

India A’s red-ball matches against South Africa at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein also went ahead with any interruptions. However, the Proteas’ ODI series against Netherlands had to be halted midway. Thereafter, the CSA promised the BCCI of providing the necessary arrangements in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

India, in the meantime, have named a strong 18-member squad for the Test series. Rohit Sharma, who had replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the vice-captain in the longest format, was ruled out. The 34-year-old sustained a hamstring injury during a practice session due to which he couldn’t make the cut. Priyank Panchal has been roped in as his replacement for the red-ball series.

Panchal played for India A in the games against South Africa A. Reports of BCCI naming the ODI squad on Sunday, December 26 have also been doing the rounds. Virat Kohli, who lost ODI and T20I captaincy recently, will also take part in the 50-over matches after speculations that he pulled out of the series.