Amid the speculations, BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Saturday (December 4) confirmed that India will travel to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs.

The four T20Is, which were also part of the tour fixtures, will now be held at a later date.

"BCCI has confirmed CSA that the Indian team will travel for three Tests and three ODIs. The remaining four T20Is will be played at a later date," Shah told ANI.

The board has decided to play the T20I series at a later date owing to the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus that has been identified in South Africa.

Last week, South Africa's foreign ministry had promised that a "full bio-secure environment" will be formulated for the Indian cricket team when it arrives in the country for the much-awaited bilateral series.

The foreign ministry also appreciated BCCI for not pulling out its 'A' team despite the new strain of COVID-19 causing panic in South Africa.

"South Africa will take all precautions necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Indian teams. A full Bio-secure environment will be established around both the South African and Indian 'A' Teams as well as the two National Teams," the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which is the country's foreign ministry, stated.

"India's decision to show solidarity by choosing to continue with the tour of the Indian 'A' Team stands in contrast with a number of countries who have decided to close their borders and to restrict travel from Southern African...," it added.

India’s tour of South Africa was initially slated to be held from December 17 to January 26 while the touring party was due to land in the rainbow nation by December 9. With the T20I series being postponed, the itinerary is likely to change now.