COVID-19: Cricket action returning in August? South Africa to host India

Mumbai: India and South Africa could play three T20 Internationals at the end of August as part of a prior “agreement”, provided the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic improves substantially for governments on both sides to give a go-ahead.

A BCCI official on condition of anonymity said that the possibility is “there” provided they get an all clearance from the government of India.

“First, we have to get the players for a conditioning camp in a green zone. Obviously, if things are on track, we would play in South Africa,” the official told PTI.

BCCI agreeing to this bilateral series will also mean that they will have CSA’s support if they want to organise the cash-rich IPL in October-November window instead of T20 World Cup.

With news coming in that Cricket South Africa (CSA) has expressed confidence that the Indian team will tour the Rainbow Nation in August for a bilateral series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that it is quite difficult for the Men in Blue to travel to South Africa for a series in August.

A BCCI official said that considering the current situation, it will not be possible to travel for the series to South Africa as there are players in the team who haven't had proper training sessions in the last 50-60 days.

"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.

"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 said.

"India wants to honour its agreement. If it's postponed, maybe a bit later," Faul said. "We've had a very good discussion with them."

India's last international series which got interrupted due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus was against the Proteas in mid-March. While the first game was washed off in Dharamsala, the next two games in Lucknow and Kolkata were called off.