The impasse over India’s cricket tour to South Africa continues. After yesterday’s meeting in Dubai between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Patel and Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat failed to resolve the issue, all eyes are now on the Indian board’s annual general meeting in Chennai on September 29, at which a decision is likely to be announced.
According to the original itinerary, India were scheduled to play three Tests, seven one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals between November 2013 and January 2014. The trouble started when Lorgat, with whom BCCI’s relationship was standoffish at best, was appointed chief executive of CSA in July.
The Indians claimed they weren’t consulted before the itinerary was announced, and unilaterally, announced a tour by the West Indies. Worse, they used Sachin Tendulkar as the bait, saying the two-Test series would help the maestro play his 200th Test at home.
An Indian tour is a massive money-spinner, and South African officials are wary about making any comments that could jeopardise it, as was evident from Lorgat’s diplomatic press statement: “I am happy to say that we had a constructive meeting and I would like to thank Sanjay for his friendliness and support in trying to find a way forward… It is clear that we will now have to wait for the BCCI’s AGM to be completed before any tour schedule can be confirmed.”
It’s indeed sad, especially for the fans, that things have reached this stage between two countries who have shared a special relationship for more than two decades. India was the first country to host South Africa after the formation of a racially unified board in 1991, ending 21 years of isolation caused by the South African government’s apartheid policy. India was also the first country to tour South Africa for a full Test series in 1992-93.
In subsequent years the friendship was cemented when South Africa hosted the Indian Premier League (IPL) at short notice in 2009 when it had to be moved from India due to the general elections. They also became, along with Australia, partners of the BCCI in the lucrative Champions League Twenty20.
It’s of course another thing that the Indian board is currently in a state of chaos, thanks to the IPL spot-fixing scandal. The growing dissent against its president N Srinivasan has been quite vocal and one’s still not sure if he will get a year’s extension after his two-year term ends this month. Will a change of guard help salvage the series?
As of now, it will be difficult for BCCI to call off the series. But in all likelihood, it could be a truncated tour, featuring just two Tests. It would be a real shame if that is indeed the case.