Mark Boucher has stated that the South African cricket team will be avoiding customary handshakes during their India tour.

The South African cricket team is scheduled to play 3 ODIs in India from March 12 to 18 and will adhere to healthcare protocols for being safe from the widespread Coronavirus. They have joined England in abandoning the handshakes while the Australians have no problem with it.

Proteas coach Mark Boucher said, “With regards to handshakes and type of stuff that's a concern, so it will probably be fine if we do the same if it comes to that. I think it's a way to stop anything from happening to our guys. I think it's out of respect for players around you and not to pass on something that you might have.”

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He also stated that the tour is on because their medical staff has given them the green signal and they would have pulled out of the series if the medical situation had been poor.

“Look we have a security staff and if we have medical concerns, we give it to them and they come up with recommendations. If they think it’s too dangerous, they will pull us out and they are no different. We had a nice brief last night from medical staff about the virus going around is that its a major concern. We are not medical people and we don't know medicine as they do,” Boucher said.

“So we have taken their recommendations and I am sure they have put stuff in places that are going to help us,” he added.

The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on March 12.

(With inputs from PTI)