‘South Africa tour on as of now’: BCCI treasurer

On the tour, India will play three Tests, three ODIs and four T20s

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal on Tuesday said India's tour of South Africa remains on schedule provided the situation doesn't aggravate in the rainbow nation after a new COVID-19 variant was detected there.

India play the final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai and are scheduled to depart to Johannesburg from there on December 8 or 9 on a chartered flight.

Dhumal expressed confidence the bio-bubble environment created by South Africa will keep the players safe. The first Test will be played in Johannesburg from December 17.

"We stand with them (as they deal with this threat), the only thing is we won't compromise on players' safety. As of now we have a chartered flight going to Johannesburg as scheduled and players will be in abio bubble," Dhumal told PTI.

On the possible change of venues within South Africa to deal with the threat, Dhumal said: "We are in co

"Whatever best we can do to not compromise the series we will try and do but if situation aggravates and if it compromises our players' safety and health, we will see.

"In the end, whatever is the Government of India advisory, we will abide by that," Dhumal told PTI.

Countries around the world have already pressed the panic button and imposed travel bans from South Africa but India has not done that. However, South Africa is among the "at risk" countries as per the revised guidelines of the Indian government.

The India A team has stayed back in the South Africa to complete the series.

South Africa's foreign ministry has also assured that a "full bio-secure environment" will be created for the Indian cricket team when it lands here for the highly-anticipated series next month.

On the tour, India play three Tests, three ODIs and four T20s.

"South Africa will take all precautions necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Indian teams. A full Bio-secure environment will be established around both the South African and Indian 'A' Teams as well as the two National Teams," the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which is the country's foreign ministry, stated.

"India's decision to show solidarity by choosing to continue with the tour of the Indian 'A' Team stands in contrast with a number of countries who have decided to close their borders and to restrict travel from Southern African...," it added.The ministry said that the South African government has expressed its appreciation to the BCCI for allowing the tour to continue and "for not letting travel restrictions negatively impact on international sports."