Amid all controversies, Team India have departed for the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa, starting December 26 in Centurion. The Test series will be a part of the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship.
The BCCI shared photos of Jasprit Bumrah, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Mohammed Siraj, among others, all boarded up on the flight to Johannesburg. Opening batsman Mayank Agarwal, all-rounder Shardul Thakur, and fast bowler Umesh Yadav were also spotted as the cricketers were seen all masked up and so was batting coach Vikram Rathour.
“All buckled up. South Africa bound,” BCCI wrote while sharing the images.
All buckled up ✌🏻
South Africa bound ✈️🇿🇦#TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/fCzyLzIW0s
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2021
Meanwhile, India are yet to win a Test series in South Africa and will be desperate to end the barren run. They came close to doing so in 2018 but the home side had the last laugh.
Speaking at the pre-tour press conference, Virat Kohli asserted that they are in a good position to win in South Africa for the first time in 29 years.
“We are very well placed in terms of experience, belief and confidence that this time around we can do something special and get the results that we want as a team and overcome probably the toughest conditions to go and win a series,” Kohli said on Wednesday.
“If we have the right mindset then we start off the series with a lot of confidence and belief we can definitely stand up to any challenge that comes our way and take a lot of heart from it. We will take a lot of motivation and a lot of belief from that victory,” Kohli concluded.
India’s Full Schedule Of South Africa Series
Team India vs South Africa 1st Test: December 26 to 30 – Centurion – 1:30 PM IST
2nd Test: January 3 to 7 – Johannesburg – 1:30 PM
3rd Test: January 11 to 15 – Cape Town – 2:00 PM
1st ODI: January 19, Wednesday – Paarl – 2:00 PM
2nd ODI: January 21, Friday – Paarl – 2:00 PM
3rd ODI: January 23, Sunday – Cape Town – 2:00 PM
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