The new COVID variant found in South Africa has thrown a spanner in India’s forthcoming tour of the rainbow nation in December. India is scheduled to play 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 4 T20Is against South Africa.

An India A team is already in South Africa, where it is scheduled to play three unofficial Test matches, the first of which is currently underway.

A new coronavirus variant - B.1.1.529 - has been red-flagged by scientists over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations that might make the virus more resistant to vaccines, increase transmissibility and lead to more severe symptoms.

First identified in South Africa this week, the variant has spread to nearby countries, including Botswana, where fully vaccinated people have been infected. More than 100 people have been infected in South Africa alone, with 4 in Botswana.

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Sources in the BCCI have told NDTV that the Indian cricket board is awaiting the government's decision before taking a call on whether to go ahead with the tour. The sources further informed that senior players are expected to travel to South Africa on December 8, after the completion of the second Test against New Zealand.

NDTV also reported that the BCCI plans on retaining a few players from ongoing India A tour.

The India-South Africa series will begin with the first Test in Johannesburg from December 17, followed by the Boxing Day Test in Centurion and the final Test in Cape Town from January 3.

The first ODI will be played in Paarl in January, followed by two more ODIs in Cape Town (January 14 and 16. The first two T20Is (on January 19 and 21) will also be played in Cape Town. The final two T20Is on January 23 and 26 will be played in Paarl.

(NDTV inputs)