I Hope The Biggest Cricket Nation Tours Our Country Next Month - Farhaan Behardien Pleads India To Continue With Their South Africa Tour Amid Fears Of New Covid-19 Variant

Former South Africa batsman Farhaan Behardien requested the BCCI and Team India to continue with their tour of South Africa next month as the tour – which comprises three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is from December 17 to January 26 – has come under jeopardy following the emergence of a new covid-19 variant.

The ongoing ODI series between Netherlands and South Africa could be cancelled, with both boards announcing during the first ODI that a decision on the next two ODIs will be taken “in the next 24 to 48 hours” considering the flight situation from the Dutch to move out. The UK have already put South Africa on the red list.

The Indian team is scheduled to fly out for South Africa on December 8 following the conclusion of the New Zealand Test series. However, now there are uncertainties about whether they would be needed to undergo quarantine in South Africa upon landing and whether players will be allowed to take their families with them.

Farhaan Behardien, who has captained the Proteas in T20Is, took to Twitter to ask the “biggest cricket nation in the world” to continue with their tour. He asserted that the younger players in South Africa look up to their cricketers and this series would further inspire them.

“I hope the biggest cricket nation in the world tours our country next month!! The future generation of South African players need it more than ever!!” Farhaan Behardien tweeted.

Last year, England left their tour mid-way without playing the ODI series, and Australia did not arrive for a four-Test series scheduled for earlier this year.

I hope the biggest cricket nation in the world tours our country next month!! The future generation of South African players need it more than ever!! #India??

— Farhaan Behardien (@fudgie11) November 26, 2021

BCCI waiting for a detailed report of the situation from Cricket South Africa: BCCI official

An unnamed BCCI official, meanwhile, said that the board is waiting for a detailed report about the new variant situation in South Africa from the CSA, and then will make their decision regarding the tour. As for now, arrangements have been made for the team to fly out after the New Zealand series.

“Look, till we get a detailed picture of the ground situation from Cricket South Africa, we will not be able to tell our next step. As per the current plan, the Indian team is supposed to leave either on December 8 or 9 just after the New Zealand series gets over in Mumbai,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by PTI.

The Indian men’s ‘A’ team is currently in South Africa for three four-day matches.

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