Indian Cricket Board announces schedule for South Africa tour, set to be played in December-January

The schedule for India's tour of South Africa in December and January was released on Friday by the Indian Cricket Board and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The series, which includes three T20Is, the same number of ODIs, and two Test matches, will be India's first significant task following the ODI World Cup at home.

The three T20Is are scheduled to be played on December 10 (at Durban), December 12 (at Gqeberha), and December 14 (Johannesburg). Followed by the T20 Internationals, the first ODI will also be played at Johannesburg on December 17 which will be followed by the second on December 19 (at Gqeberha) and the last one by December 21 (at Paarl).

BCCI and @ProteasMenCSA announce fixtures for India’s Tour of South Africa 2023-24.

For more details - https://t.co/PU1LPAz49I #SAvIND

A look at the fixtures below 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/ubtB4CxXYX

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 14, 2023

'The Freedom Series is important because it honors Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela' - Jay Shah

“The tour will begin with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series, and will culminate with the Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy involving two Tests,” said Indian Cricket Board and CSA in a joint statement.

The previous time around when Team India toured South Africa, they lost the Test series 2-1. Moreover, the T20Is will receive extra attention as the series switches to the shortest format in preparation for the Caribbean World Cup in 2024. The World Test Championship will include the two-game Gandhi-Mandela Test series.

“The Freedom Series is significant not just because it features two excellent Test teams, but also because it honors Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, two great leaders who shaped our respective nations, and the world around them. The Boxing Day Test and the New Year Test are amongst the most important fixtures on the international cricket calendar and the schedule has been planned particularly around these marquee dates. India has always received strong support in South Africa, and I am confident that fans will be treated to some enthralling contests with no shortage of intensity," said The Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah.

The CSA Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo also went on to say that the board eagerly awaits the arrival of the Indian Cricket Team and their passionate fans on South African shores. This is an important tour for both teams and Naidoo feels that he is really pleased that the two teams will have a full tour comprising all three formats of the game. Both South Africa and India boast exceptional talent, and fans can look forward to exciting cricket and thrilling matches.