India's Tour Of South Africa To Be Pushed Back By A Week Amid Omicron Scare: Source

IND vs SA: India's tour of South Africa might be pushed further amid rising Omicron concerns.

Image: AFP

IND vs SA: India's tour of South Africa is likely to be pushed back further for a week amid the rising global concerns around the new Covid-19 variant, 'Omicron', ANI reported. The World Health Organisation (WHO) named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, a 'variant of concern'. 

The tour is scheduled to begin on December 17, 2021. The Indian team is slated to play three Tests, three ODIs, and four T20Is in the series, but as the things stand, it seems difficult that the series would start on time. 

The ANI report said that the BCCI and Cricket South Africa officials are in constant touch and will decide on the future of the series soon.  "We are discussing to push back the series by a week due to the threat of Omicron COVID variant and we are awaiting the Indian government nod, both boards are in constant touch and everything is being discussed. The health and safety of our players is of utmost importance," a senior BCCI official told ANI. 

India tour of SA might be pushed back by one week amid Omicron scare

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/D1m81ojCYX#Omicron #COVID19 #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/kWiVDx93DP

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 2, 2021

A report last week reported that Cricket South Africa (CSA) is planning to hold the series without spectators. The report said that the CSA is desperate to hold the series due to conduct the series due to the huge financial implications involved.

India will play three Tests, Three ODIs, and four T20Is against South Africa across the four venues of Johannesburg, Centurion, Paarl, and Cape Town.