India’s tour of South Africa on as of now, BCCI will abide by government advisory: Treasurer Arun Dhumal

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal on Tuesday said that India’s tour of South Africa, scheduled to get underway in December remains on schedule, provided the situation in South Africa doesn’t aggravate in the wake of the discovery of a new Covid variant, Omicron in the region.

India are scheduled to leave for Johannesburg from December 8 or 9 following the completion of the 2nd Test against New Zealand, which is set to end on December 7.

India are set to play 3 Tests, as many ODIs and 4 T20Is from December 17 to January 26. Meanwhile, the BCCI hasn’t called back the India A team which is currently playing as many as 3 4-day unofficial Test matches in the Rainbow Nation.

On Tuesday, South Africa’s foreign ministry said that the government will provide a secure bio-bubble for the visiting Indian team and ensure the health and safety of the players and support staff.

“We stand with them (Cricket South Africa), 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 a bio bubble,” Dhumal told the Press Trust of India.

“We are in constant touch with the Cricket South Africa (CSA) officials. Whatever best we can do to not compromise the series we will try and do but if the situation aggravates and if it compromises our players’ safety and health, we will see,” he added when asked if the two boards will consider change in venues to ensure the safe conduct of the series.

“In the end, whatever is the Government of India advisory, we will abide by that,” he added.

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.