Rohit Sharma to be named India’s Test Vice-Captain in India tour of South Africa.
India tour of South Africa: Current India’s T20I full-time skipper Rohit Sharma is all set to undergo another elevation in his stature in Indian cricket as he is likely to be appointed Virat Kohli’s deputy in the test format as well. The Indian stalwart is probable to take the charge during India’s tour of South Africa in 2021.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up for the all-format series against South Africa in the rainbow nation. The tour will have three test matches that are likely to be reduced to two following the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Besides the test, three ODIs and four T20Is are scheduled to play.
It is learnt that the BCCI is committed to visiting South Africa despite the covid scare in the country. The tour which was slated to commence on 17th December, with the first test match, is likely to be pushed back by a week to monitor the situation.
The current Indian test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is enduring a rough patch in his test cricket career. The selectors and BCCI officials have started the conversation to remove incumbent Rahane from the position and give the reins to Rohit Sharma.
The shortest format skipper, Rohit Sharma’s say in Indian cricket has its value and it has increased exponentially over the years. If the reports are believed, Rohit had a huge role in India’s T20 World Cup 2021 squad. He was a key member while picking India’s squad for the Test series against New Zealand.
“The selection meeting will happen in a few days. It is likely that Rohit will be made the vice-captain of the Test team. The Indian team is committed to travelling to South Africa. However, the tour will not go on as per schedule. BCCI has communicated to Cricket South Africa (CSA) that it could start the tour with the Boxing Day Test,” a top BCCI official said.
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India tour of South Africa 2021 New Schedule:
The officials also revealed that all the travel plans, logistics and schedules for the South Africa tour are being freshly prepared. The Indian team is unlikely to board the flight on 8th December.
“The tour will be curtailed. The travel plans are being worked out. It’s unlikely the team will leave on December 8. As of now, it looks like the two boards will have to compromise and agree to play two Tests instead of the initially planned three. Maybe a T20I could also be reduced,” the official added.
India tour to South Africa 2021 Schedule:
Three Matches Test Series Schedule:
| Day/Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Dec 17, Fri – Dec 21, Tue | 1st Test – South Africa vs India | The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 1:30 PM |
| Dec 26, Sun – Dec 30, Thu | 2nd Test – South Africa vs India | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 1:30 PM |
| Jan 03, Mon – Jan 07, Fri | 3rd Test – South Africa vs India | Newlands, Cape Town | 1:30 PM |
Three Matches ODI Series Schedule:
| Day/Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Jan 11, Tue | 1st ODI – South Africa vs India | Boland Park, Paarl | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 14, Fri | 2nd ODI – South Africa vs India | Newlands, Cape Town | 2:00 PM |
| Jan 16, Sun | 3rd ODI – South Africa vs India | Newlands, Cape Town | 2:00 PM |
Four Matches T20I Series Schedule:
| Day/Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Jan 19, Wed | 1st T20I – South Africa vs India | Newlands, Cape Town | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 21, Fri | 2nd T20I – South Africa vs India | Newlands, Cape Town | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 23, Sun | 3rd T20I – South Africa vs India | Boland Park, Paarl | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 26, Wed | 4th T20I – South Africa vs India | Boland Park, Paarl | 7:30 PM |
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