BCCI official Arun Dhumal refutes reports of India agreeing to tour South Africa in August for T20Is

CSA director Graeme Smith and Chief Executive Jacques Faul had said that India had agreed to tour.

Recently, it was claimed by many news sources, and even the CSA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith and Chief Executive Jacques Faul, on Thursday, had mentioned that India has agreed to tour South Africa for three T20Is in August.

However, the reports and claims have been refuted by BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal, who mentioned that there have only been discussions about such a possibility and no confirmation has been made from the Indian board’s side.

India may tour South Africa in August 2020 for three T20Is

"When South Africa's tour of India got canceled due to coronavirus, we had discussions that if there is a possibility, we will make an effort to tour South Africa. But at no point have we made any commitment to Cricket South Africa about touring in August," Dhumal told PTI.

Dhumal, a senior BCCI official, has clarified that until the Indian government doesn’t clear international travels, BCCI cannot commit to anything to any country, owing to dangers of Coronavirus pandemic.

"Right now, we can't even commit that we can tour Sri Lanka in July followed by (short T20 series) in Zimbabwe. Both these tours are part of the FTP program and we are still not sure what the situation will be in two months, so how can we commit on the South Africa tour?" Dhumal asked.

Dhumal also cleared the air about Graeme Smith supporting Sourav Ganguly for ICC President’s post.

“There has been no formal discussion in BCCI about ICC chairmanship. Graeme Smith obviously spoke in his personal capacity which is not CSA's stand. As far as the BCCI is concerned we would certainly like an Indian to lead the global body and our president has credentials obviously. But again we haven't yet discussed it," he said.  

Another veteran BCCI official sheds light on this matter and mentioned that cash-strapped Proteas should only get a commitment from BCCI if it supports its views in the ICC.

"We will definitely play the SA series but there should be riders. Is CSA with India on ICC policy matters? With Chris (Nenzani), you would want a full commitment on paper and then proceed. It's CSA which is desperate for a three-match T20. So they have to decide how they want to play it at the ICC," the veteran official said.

(PTI inputs)