South Africa’s tour to India: Longest ever tour to the sub-continent

India is all set to host a marathon series against the mighty Proteas which will be South Africa’s longest tour in India. The tour is 72 days long which includes three-T20 internationals, five-ODIs and four- Test matches along with the two-tour games.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa confirmed the tour and jointly announced the fixtures which run from 29 September to 7 December 2015.

“I am delighted to confirm, together with the BCCI, the Proteas’ itinerary for our tour of India later this year,” said CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

“This will be the longest tour that we have undertaken to India and the first time we will play a four-Test series. Both countries are now working to develop this into an icon series. Another first is that we will be playing our first T20 International match against India in India. Of note will be the second Test match to be played in Bangalore where South Africa previously secured our only ever Test Series win over India in India in 2000. If all works out this will be AB de Villiers’ 100th Test match and it could not be a more appropriate venue as it has become AB’s second home through his involvement with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Being a landmark tour in the young history of Cricket South Africa, I wish to thank the BCCI for all the hard work that has been put into scheduling this tour and I now look forward to the Test series becoming an iconic one.”

This tour will provide ample practice to South Africans ahead of the T20 World Cup in India next year. Proteas have a great chance to get comfortable with the weather and accustomed to the batting-friendly Indian pitches. After their fresh defeat to Bangla Tigers, it’s a good opportunity for Test leaders to prove their mantle in the sub-continent conditions.

As for India, they would love to get back to winning ways as they had underperformed in the recent series against Bangladesh. Series victory against a potent side like South Africa would be a great confidence booster for Indian side.

TOUR ITINERARY

September 29, D/N, T20 Tour match, Delhi (1:30 PM, IST)

October 2, D/N, 1st T20 International, Dharamshala (1: 30 PM IST)

October 5, D/N, 2nd T20 International, Cuttack (1:30 PM IST)

October 8, D/N, 3rd T20 International, Kolkata (1:30PM IST)

October 11, Day, 1st ODI, Kanpur (9AM IST)

October 14, D/N, 2nd ODI, Indore (1: 30 PM IST)

October 18, D/N, 3rd ODI, Rajkot (1:30 PM IST)

October 22, D/N, 4th ODI, Chennai (1:30 PM IST)

October 25, D/N, 5th ODI, Mumbai (1:30 PM IST)

October 30-Saturday, October 31, Two-day Tour match v Board President’s XI, Mumbai (9:30 AM IST)

November 5-Monday, November 9, 1st Test match, Mohali (9:30 AM IST)

November 14-Wednesday, November 18, 2nd Test match, Bangalore (9:30 AM IST)

November 25-Sunday, November 29, 3rd Test match, Nagpur (9:30 AM IST)

December 3-Monday, December 7, 4th Test match, Delhi (9:30 AM IST)