India’s tour of South Africa has been in a jeopardy ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday issued a red alert as a newly mutated variant of Covid-19 has been found in SA.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) named the new variant as B.1.1.529 also called the ‘Omicron’.
The Netherlands tour of South Africa has been postponed on Saturday. India A is currently in Bloemfontein to play three unofficial tests. Out of the three, one of them is already done while two are likely to go as per schedule.
Now questions have been looming over Team India’s tour of South Africa. The senior team is scheduled to fly to the African country in December 8. The series which comprises of three T20Is, three ODIs and four tests which is scheduled to start from December 17.
The BCCI on Saturday said that the board is continuously in touch with CSA for the upcoming bilateral series.
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“There is nothing to say as of now. Both boards are regularly in touch. Player safety and their health is paramount for both boards. We are monitoring the situation closely, as soon as both teams feel there is anything that needs to be done, they will take a call,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told ANI.
He added, “See, keeping in mind the health and safety of the players, whatever needs to be done will be done. Whether crowds are allowed or not, that is secondary. First priority is for the games to happen.”
Earlier, the union minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur said that the BCCI should ask the government before sending its players to the African country.
“Not only BCCI, but every board should also consult the Indian government before sending the team to a country where a new COVID-19 variant has emerged. It is not right to send the team to a country where there is a threat, if BCCI consults us, we will deliberate on that,” Anurag Thakur said to the ANI.
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