India’s tour of South Africa on as of now, we have time to decide: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly said that India’s tour to South Africa remains on schedule as of now. There has been growing concern about the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, named Omicron, which was first reported in South Africa.

“The tour is on as things stand till now. We still have time to decide. The first Test is scheduled for December 17. We will ponder about it,” Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event.

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

“Players’ security and health has always been BCCI’s first priority, we will do everything possible for this. We will see what happens in the days to come.”

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

The former India captain also backed out-of-favor allrounder, Hardik Pandya, to regain his place in the side after returning to full fitness.

“He is a good cricketer. He’s not fit, that’s why he’s not there in the team. He’s young, I hope he makes a comeback after recovering from his injury.”

Recently, the legendary Kapil Dev questioned Hardik Pandya’s role as an allrounder in the India team after he had stopped bowling following his back surgery.

“Don’t compare him (Hardik) with Kapil Dev. He belonged to a different league,” Ganguly concluded.