South Africa Tour Is On As Things Stand, We Still Have Time To Decide - Sourav Ganguly

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said that the board is pondering over the status regarding India’s tour of South Africa, scheduled for next month.

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 in South Africa.

The Indian team is scheduled to fly out for South Africa on December 8 or 9 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 would be allowed to take their families with them.

Sourav Ganguly said that while the tour will go as planned, but the BCCI is considering their options, keeping in mind the health and safety of the players as their priority.

“The tour is on as things stand till now. We still have time to decide. The first Test is scheduled from December 17. We will ponder about it,” Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI on Tuesday.

“Players’ security and health has always been BCCI’s first priority, we will do everything possible for this. We will see what happens in the days to come.”

Hardik Pandya is not fit, that’s why he’s not there in the team: Sourav Ganguly

The BCCI President also spoke about star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was recently excluded from the home New Zealand T20I series after the T20 World Cup.

Sourav Ganguly said that Pandya was unfit – he had bowled only 4 overs in the T20 World Cup and wasn’t selected for the New Zealand series.

 “He is a good cricketer. He’s not fit, that’s why he’s not there in the team. He’s young, I hope he makes a comeback after recovering from his injury,” the former India captain stated. 

Hardik Pandya has been released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. The retentions were announced on Tuesday, and the 5-time champions decided to retain Rohit Sharma (16 cr), Jasprit Bumrah (12 cr), Suryakumar Yadav (8 cr), Kieron Pollard (6 cr).

Also Read: IPL 2022 Retention: Anil Kumble Reveals Why PBKS Didn’t Retain KL Rahul