SA vs IND 2018: India's Practice Game Cancelled ahead of Proteas Tour

The practice game between India and South Africa ahead of the start of international fixtures has got cancelled. The news was made public by the South African board itself.

“Please be advised that the two-day warm-up match for India at Eurolux Boland Park will no longer be taking place. India have opted for training sessions on those days,” a release from CSA read as.

As the statement reads, it is the Indian team that wants more practice before going into the Test series. The Virat Kohli-led side is leaving no stone unturned before the tour begins, as the team management has already asked for four extra bowers before the team flies to South Africa.

(Read Here: Jinder Mahal picks up his favourite cricketer)

The four pace bowlers will bowl to Indian batsmen in nets before the start of the Test series are Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan, Basil Thampi and Mohammed Siraj.

Out of these four, Navdeep is still playing Ranji Trophy, as Delhi have won the quarterfinal game against Madhya Pradesh, riding on an innings of 95 from Gautam Gambhir. If Delhi wins semi-final as well, then there might be a slight delay in Saini’s arrival to South Africa.

(Read Here: Kedar Jadhav ruled out of Sri Lanka ODI series)

In another change to the itinerary, the South African board has also changed the timings of the day/night matches during their home season. All the day/night games during the season will now start half an hour ahead of the scheduled time, which also includes the Day/Night Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe as well, which will a four-day contest, a first in the history of Test cricket.

As the practice game has already got cancelled, India will play its first game in South Africa on January 5 to 9, which will be the first Test match. The second and the third Test match will start on 13 and 24, respectively.

A total of six ODIs and three T20Is will also follow. The Indian selectors haven’t announced squad for the limited-overs series. The biggest concern for India going into the first Test will be the lack of match practice for captain Virat Kohli, who has been rested for the ongoing limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

(Read Here: Video – MS Dhoni bowling in nets)

(Read Here: Chandika Hathusingha appointed as Sri Lanka Head Coach)

Video of the day –