India’s tour of South Africa to begin on December 10 with T20s, Tests at Centurion and Cape Town

Johannesburg will also play host to the opening ODI of the three-match series on December 17, followed by matches on December 19 and 21 in Gqeberha and Paarl respectively.

The Test matches, called the Freedom Series for Gandhi-Mandela Trophy, will be played in Centurion and Cape Town from December 26-30 and January 3-7 respectively.

“The Freedom Series is significant not just because it features two excellent Test teams, but also because it honours Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, two great leaders who shaped our respective nations, and the world around them,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement issued by both the boards.

He added, “The Boxing Day Test and the New Year Test are amongst the most important fixtures on the international cricket calendar and the schedule has been planned particularly around these marquee dates.” The last time India played a Test series in South Africa, in 2021-22, they lost 1-2 following which former captain Virat Kohli unexpectedly stepped down from the post, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to take over the reins. While India began the last tour with a 113-run victory in the opening Test at Centurion, they lost the next two Tests before being blanked 0-3 in the ensuing ODI series.

Lawson Naidoo, chairman of Cricket South Africa (CSA), said: “This is an important tour for both teams and I am really pleased that we will have a full tour comprising all three formats of the game. Both South Africa and India boast exceptional talent, and we can look forward to exciting cricket and thrilling matches.

“The tour also allows us to showcase the best of South Africa and we have spread out matches across the nation.”