Series in South Africa in August is quite difficult: BCCI Official

Contradictory statements continue to come from the BCCI over the resumption of cricket for team India. Only a day after it was reported that the Indian board has expressed its willingness to play three T20 Internationals in South Africa, one of its officials has confirmed that it is tough for the series to go ahead.

With the cricket boards finding a way to start international cricket, on Thursday, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and CSA’s director of cricket Graeme Smith finalised the series via teleconference. The T20I tussle is not the part of the FTP but was negotiated by the two parties during CSA’s executive trip to India in February.

However, the BCCI official reckons that the players will have to practice enough before travelling to other countries to play cricket. He pointed out that team India players haven’t played any kind of cricket since March (after returning from New Zealand tour) and they will need batting and bowling sessions to get back their touch.

“See, this is not really possible. Fitness training is one thing and training with the bat and ball is a completely different thing. We have guys who haven’t touched a bat or ball in a training environment in the last 50-60 days. How do you expect them to go out and play international matches?

“Yes, they have been doing their best to keep their fitness level up to the mark set by our trainers, but batting and bowling sessions will be needed,” he said according to the quint.

BCCI to honour all its bilateral commitments

The BCCI official also cleared that the board will go ahead with all its bilateral series whenever possible but stressed that the series in August looks practically tough as of now. “Yes, like we have said before, the BCCI will honour all its bilateral commitments and if not currently, then as is suitable to both parties involved. But a series in South Africa in August is quite difficult,” the official further added.

On Thursday, the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri had cleared that the cricket in India could resume only after the monsoon season and hoped that IPL will lead the way. But it remains to be seen if the team plays any international cricket in the next few months.