Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's all-format tour of South Africa which will be held from December 10, 2023 to January 7, 2024. India will play three T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests on South African soil. The two Tests will be a part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.
The last time India toured South Africa, the Virat Kohli-led side lost the Test series by 2-1. In Rohit Sharma's absence, KL Rahul led India in ODI series where they failed to win even one game. Following the series, Kohli stepped down from captaincy in the longest format.
India have never won a Test series on South African soil. The best result was in 2010-11 tour when the three-Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.
India have played a total of 42 Tests against the Proteas and have won 15, lost 17 whereas 10 ended in a draw. In the ODI format, India have won 37 out of 90 encounters whereas three ended in no result. In the shortest format, India have an upper hand. India have won 13 out of 24 T20Is whereas one did not yield a result.
“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. 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,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah was quoted as saying in the release.
Here's the full schedule
December 10, 2023 (Sunday): India vs South Africa 1st T20I, Durban
December 12, 2023 (Tuesday): India vs South Africa 2nd T20I, Gqeberha
December 14, 2023 (Thursday): India vs South Africa 3rd T20I, Johannesburg
December 17, 2023 (Sunday): India vs South Africa 1st ODI, Johannesburg
December 19, 2023 (Tuesday): India vs South Africa 2nd ODI, Gqeberha
December 21, 2023 (Paarl): India vs South Africa 3rd ODI, Paarl
December 26-30, 2023: India vs South Africa 1st Test, Centurion
January 3-January 7, 2024: India vs South Africa 2nd Test, Cape Town
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