The high-profile Test series between India and South Africa is all set to commence on December 26 in Centurion. As per reports, the Boxing Day Test is scheduled to be played behind closed doors.
Incidentally, the series was under dark clouds after the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. However, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa worked on a rejigged scheduled and decided to continue with the tour.
According to a report in Afrikaans language weekly newspaper Rapport, only some suite holders and delegates will be allowed to watch. Although the current restrictions imposed by the South African government allow 2000 fans the enter the stadium, but the tickets are not for sale as of yet.
The official Twitter handle of the stadium recently tweeted about the same clarifying that the ticket sales are not yet open while stating that they will update the fans in the coming days.
“Please note, no announcement has been made regarding ticket sales for the upcoming Test match at the #ImperialWanderers Stadium between South Africa and India. At this point, it isn’t clear if fans will be allowed. We will make further announcements in due course,” the tweet read.
Incidentally, Cricket South Africa has decided to postpone the fifth round of the domestic matches on Sunday (December 19) amid the COVID-19 threat.
India gear up to conquer South Africa
Virat Kohli & Co have landed in South Africa to gear up for the upcoming three-match Test series. They have had a couple of net sessions and are desperate to take the ground.
In a virtual pre-departure press conference last week, Kohli said that his team is motivated to do well and win the series at a place where India have never won before.
“We can take a lot of motivation from that (Johannesburg 2018 win). We probably won in the toughest conditions of that tour. So that should give us a lot of confidence. If we start off with the right mindset and with self-confidence and belief, we can definitely stand up to any challenge that comes our way and take a lot of heart from it,” said Kohli.
The three-match Test series will be followed by the same number of ODIs.
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