Share

SA, India set for crisis talks

Cape Town - Sanjay Patel, the Honorary Secretary for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and his counterpart from Cricket South Africa (CSA), Haroon Lorgat, will meet during the upcoming ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting scheduled for September 16-17 in Dubai.

The meeting has been agreed after several conversations between the two over the past few days as they work towards resolving scheduling issues around the end-of-year tour to South Africa by India.

The Indians were scheduled to tour South Africa from November 21 to January 19 for three Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and seven ODIs.

However, the BCCI is yet to formally approve the itinerary for the tour and recent reports now state that India wants to play the bare minimum of matches required to fulfil commitments under the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).

If that ends up being the case - a consequence of their tetchy relations at present with Cricket South Africa (CSA) - then the once 12-match glamour Indian visit will be depressingly whittled down to as few as two Tests and three ODIs.

In response to the reports, Lorgat said: “There has rightly been concern about reports of a shortened tour by India but I am looking forward to meeting Sanjay so that we can work out the best possible schedule under the present circumstances. As custodians we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the game and all our stakeholders.
 
“It is clear to me that both our boards are committed to working together to ensure the wonderful relationship we have had for the past 22 years is strengthened. As South Africans we will always be grateful to the Indian government for the leading role they played in first enforcing the sports boycott during the dark years of apartheid and later, together with the BCCI, facilitating our return to the world family of cricket nations.

“While we would not want to disappoint our fans and stakeholders and keep them abreast of developments, we have to follow official communication protocols in dealing with this matter, so we ask for patience and support as we engage our counterparts at the BCCI,” added Lorgat.

Lorgat further stated that they are heartened by the messages of support from fans and commercial partners and expressed his appreciation for their understanding.
 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE