Indian Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed the schedule of India’s all-format tour of South Africa in December-January. The tour is set to start with three T20Is which will be played on December 10, 12 and 14 in Durban, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, respectively.
Johannesburg will also host the first of the three ODIs on December 17, with the following two games scheduled at Gqeberha and Paarl on December 19 and 21. The final leg of the series consisting two Tests, both part of the World Test Championship 2023-25, will be played in Centurion and Cape Town, with the former hosting the Boxing Day Test from December 26 to 30, followed by the New Year’s affair from January 7 to 11.
“The Freedom Series is significant not just because it features two excellent Test teams, but also because it honours Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, two great leaders who shaped our respective nations, and the world around them,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.
“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,” he added.
Lawson Naidoo, CSA Chairperson, said: “I eagerly await the arrival of the Indian Cricket Team and their passionate fans on our shores. This is an important tour for both teams and I am really pleased that we will have a full tour comprising all three formats of the game. Both South Africa and India boast exceptional talent, and we can look forward to exciting cricket and thrilling matches. The tour also allows us to showcase the best of South Africa and we have spread out matches across the nation. We share an excellent rapport with BCCI, and I thank them for their support right throughout.”
South Africa vs India 2023-24 fixtures
Day
Date
Match
Venue
Sunday
10-Dec-23
1st T20I
Durban
Tuesday
12-Dec-23
2nd T20I
Gqeberha
Thursday
14-Dec-23
3rd T20I
Johannesburg
Sunday
17-Dec-23
1st ODI
Johannesburg
Tuesday
19-Dec-23
2nd ODI
Gqeberha
Thursday
21-Dec-23
3rd ODI
Paarl
Tuesday
26-Dec-23 to 30-Dec-23
1st Test
Centurion
Wednesday
03-Jan-24 to 07-Jan-24
2nd Test
Cape Town