On Friday, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa confirmed the fixtures of India’s tour of South Africa which will be taking place in December and January. The series will kickstart with a three-match T20I series which will be followed by a three-match ODI series, and both the teams will then head for the Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy which includes two Tests. Talking about the T20Is, the series will begin on December 10 and will also provide a chance to prepare for the T20 World Cup the next year.
Venues like Durban, Gqeberha, and Johannesburg will be hosting the 20-over matches which are slated to take place on December 10, 12 and 14 respectively. Johannesburg and Gqeberha will also take care of the first two ODIs which will happen on December 17 and 19 with the third one to be played in Paarl on December 21. The red ball format matches will be held from December 26-30 and January 3-7 in Centurion and Cape Town respectively.
“The Freedom Series is significant not just because it features two excellent Test teams, but also because it honours Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, two great leaders who shaped our respective nations, and the world around them. The Boxing Day Test and the New Year Test are amongst the most important fixtures on the international cricket calendar and the schedule has been planned particularly around these marquee dates. India has always received strong support in South Africa, and I am confident that fans will be treated to some enthralling contests with no shortage of intensity,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.
“I eagerly await the arrival of the Indian Cricket Team and their passionate fans on our shores. This is an important tour for both teams and I am really pleased that we will have a full tour comprising all three formats of the game. Both South Africa and India boast exceptional talent, and we can look forward to exciting cricket and thrilling matches. The tour also allows us to showcase the best of South Africa and we have spread out matches across the nation. We share an excellent rapport with BCCI, and I thank them for their support right throughout,” Lawson Naidoo, CSA chairman said.
It was back in 2021-22 when India took part in a Test series in South Africa where they lost 1-2 after which Virat Kohli resigned from his post of India’s skipper.