The buzz concerning the forthcoming Test series between India and South Africa has already gripped the ardent cricket fans and now to make the contest all the more thrilling, the Test rubber has been named ‘Freedom Series’.
On Friday (December 22), Cricket South Africa released a statement saying that, “This tour was originally labelled the Friendship Series - it was South Africa's way of reciprocating India's efforts in ending the country's sporting isolation in 1991."
"India had been among the principal opponents of apartheid. The Freedom Series was felt by both nations to be a be more fitting name in recognition of South Africa's and India's shared history of winning freedom through non-violence, not to mention their shared love of cricket!" the press release further added.
A specially designed Freedom Series Trophy Podium will be unveiled in a special ceremony ahead of the first Test, scheduled to start on January 5 in Newlands, Cape Town. Subsequently, the second will be played at Centurion while Johannesburg will host the third and final Test. The Test series will be followed by six ODIs and three T20Is.
Virat Kohli’s troops will depart for South Africa tour on December 27. While India have already announced their 17-member Test squad, the hosts are yet to named the team.
India Test Squad:
Virat Kohli(c), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Parthiv Patel, Jasprit Bumrah
Itinerary:
Jan 05 - Jan 09, 1st Test – Newlands, Cape Town
Jan 13 - Jan 17, 2nd Test – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Jan 24 - Jan 28, 3rd Test – New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Feb 01, 1st ODI – Kingsmead, Durban
Feb 04, 2nd ODI – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Feb 07, 3rd ODI – Newlands, Cape Town
Feb 10, 4th ODI – New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Feb 13, 5th ODI – St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
Feb 16, 6th ODI – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Feb 18, 1st T20I – New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Feb 21, 2nd T20I – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Feb 24, 3rd T20I – Newlands, Cape Town