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The Indian cricket team’s tour of South Africa is slated to get underway with the first Test from December 26 and with the threats of Covid-19 variant Omicron looming large the tour faced multiple obstacles. But nevertheless, the tourists have now been guaranteed a return passage to India if there is a need to close the borders in order to prevent to control the spread of infection.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) assured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that if such a situation arises, then their permission required to leave shall be granted. As the threatening Omicron variant has led to another new wave of the virus in South Africa, the series is slated to be played behind closed doors.
“If there needs to be repatriation and the borders are closed, the government has given a guarantee that they will allow the players and the team to go back to India,” CSA’s chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra was quoted while speaking in an interview.
“I think we’ve taken whatever measures we can to ensure that the Indian team is not only safe here, but should they need to leave for whatever reason, that the path is open for them to leave at any point that they wish,” he added.
Hotel regulations
The entire Irene Country Lodge has been booked for the Indian team. Players and the rest of the members of the team are getting tested regularly. Although, outside food is allowed in the hotel premises.
“We are regularly in touch with CSA officials & the Indian team management in South Africa. The team is having a very comfortable stay. As now the series is behind closed doors – any threat further gets diminished. CSA also has assured in case of anything untoward, Indian team will be immediately given permissions to fly out,” he said.
The series was initially under massive threat when the latest variant was first discovered in South Africa. A curtailed tour which saw T20Is being removed from the original schedule and stern covid prevention measures ensured it was saved.
India will play three Tests under the captaincy of Virat Kohli and as many ODIs under the newly-appointed ODI skipper Rohit Sharma during their stay in the Rainbow Nation.
