India tour of South Africa likely to be pushed back by a week, BCCI seeks time amid fears over Omicron

India tour of South Africa: India players are likely to leave for South Africa after December 15 as BCCI seeks time amid concerns over the new Covid variant, Omicron. India are scheduled to begin the first Test in Johannesburg from December 17.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked Cricket South Africa to consider pushing back the start of the much-anticipated tour by a week as it seeks more time to discuss the threat of new Covid variant, Omicron which was discovered in the region. India are scheduled to take on South Africa in 3 Tests, as many ODIs and 4 T20Is between December 17 and January 26.

India were scheduled to leave for South Africa on December 8 or 9 following the completion of the 2nd Test against New Zealand. However, India Today understands that the team is likely to depart only on December 15 or 16. The BCCI will discuss the India tour of South Africa in its AGM on Saturday in Kolkata and a call is expected to be taken by Sunday.