South Africa Promises Safe Bio-Bubble For Team India; appreciates BCCI for continuing the '' A '' tour

By Talat Masood Nov 30, 2021, 14:57 IST

IND vs SA: The Indian senior team will compete in three tests from December 17th, followed by as many ODIs and four T20 Internationals.

The South African State Department has said that when the Indian cricket team lands here for a highly anticipated series next month they will have a "full bio-safe environment" and commends the BCCI for providing their "A" -Team has not withdrawn despite the panic caused by the discovery of a new variant of COVID-19. India A will begin its second unofficial test against South Africa A in Bloemfontein on Tuesday and will remain in the country despite global concerns following the discovery of the Omicron variant.

The Indian senior team will compete in three tests from December 17th, followed by as many ODIs and four T20 Internationals. Virat Kohli and his men are scheduled to land here by December 9, but there have been some tour concerns due to the discovery of the Omicron variant in the region, which has resulted in travel restrictions through several countries.

"South Africa will take all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of the Indian teams. A fully bio-safe environment will be created around the South African and Indian A-teams as well as the two national teams." said the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the country's foreign ministry.

"India's decision to show solidarity and continue the tour of the Indian '' A '' team is in contrast to a number of countries that have decided to close their borders and restrict travel from southern Africa ...", it added.

The ministry said the South African government recognized the BCCI for allowing the tour to continue and "that travel restrictions do not adversely affect international sport." The first India-South Africa Test will be played in Johannesburg, followed by the second game at Centurion (December 26th) and the third game in Cape Town (January 3rd).

"The tour of the Indian national team marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa's return to international cricket."

In 1991 India became the first country to host a South African team after the country was banned from international cricket in 1970 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to the apartheid policy of the then South African government. “The anniversary will be celebrated with a commemorative event on January 2, 2022 in Cape Town. The purpose of this event is also to highlight the strong bond between South Africa and India, which the two of them tour once more. "Indian teams," the ministry said in a statement.