Virat Kholi and Co were to play a three-match T20I series against South Africa before leaving to UAE for the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the series was not on the agenda of formal future tours programs. The series is unlikely to happen in the wake of the COVID-19. India and South Africa are not yet free of the global crisis and for the reason, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken IPL out of their country.
South Africa, that is not much cash-rich board, was to collaborate with the world’s cash-rich board, BCCI, as the series was expected to be played in August. The board already suffered financially before COVID-19 lockdown and is expected to be in more crisis after the series is to be called off.
The board already had discussed earlier that the T20I series might be called of later.
India’s three-match T20 series against South Africa scheduled to be disturbed
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.”
“We had a teleconference with India [the previous day] and we’re encouraged by their willingness to honor 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.
Notably, Pakistan’s tour of South Africa has also been canceled amidst the Coronavirus fears as the world is still not free of the spreading virus. Despite that, England’s tour of India has become the last series before India vs South Africa to get postponed amidst the Coronavirus. The tour will not be taking place until early January.
Also, see:
BCCI ready to host Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Ranji Trophy straight after IPL 2020
