Indian captain Virat Kohli said that the BCCI and the team members are concerned about the development in South Africa with regards to the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, as the team is scheduled to leave for the rainbow nation on December 8 or 9 for a full series.
India is scheduled to take on South Africa in 3 Tests, as many ODIs and 4 T20Is between December 17 and January 26.
Kohli said that everyone is working hard to find clarity on the South Africa tour but the team's focus remains on the second Test against New Zealand which gets underway from Friday.
"It's pretty natural, we are not playing in normal times so there is a lot of planning that is involved, there is a lot of preparation that is involved in understanding what exactly will go on.
There are players who are not part of the group right now and will be entering quarantine to join the team in the bubble to fly in a charter. Those kinds of things, you want to seek clarity as soon as possible, so we have spoken to all the senior members of the squad,” Kohli said in a presser on the eve of the second Test against New Zealand.
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"Rahul bhai has initiated a conversation within the group which is very important to know because at the end of the day we understand our focus on the Test match will not shift regardless but also to know you want to have clarity in a situation to know what exactly is going on," he added.
Kohli, who missed the first Test against the Kiwis, will return in the XI for the Mumbai Test, further said that the entire team was in contact with the BCCI and are confident of getting clarity on the South Africa tour in a couple of days’ time.
"We have been talking to the board and we are pretty confident within a day or two or pretty soon we will have absolute clarity as to what is going on. We need to be realistic about things as well and should ignore the things which potentially can put you into a confusing place. Everyone is working hard towards finding clarity. We are all hopeful that will happen soon but prime focus in on second Test," Kohli said.
India A team is currently in South Africa, playing the hosts’ A side in a series of three 4-day matches. The first match ended in a draw, while the second match is being played in Bloemfontein.
(ANI inputs)
