The South African women’s cricket team is set to embark on a tour of India in June and July, featuring an engaging lineup of one Test match, three ODIs, and three T20I encounters between the two sides.
The limited-overs clashes of this series are scheduled to take place in Bangalore, while the Test match will be hosted in Chennai. A spokesperson from the Karnataka State Cricket Association confirmed that the ODIs and T20 matches will unfold at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, while the Test match will unfold at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The ODI series will commence from June 16, with the Test match slated to kick off from June 28. Following the Test match, both teams will reconvene in Bangalore for the T20 International series on July 5, 7, and 9.
The significance of the upcoming T20 International series holds particular weight as the Women’s T20 World Cup is slated to unfold in Bangladesh in September-October. Originally slated to occur late last year, the white-ball format series was deferred due to the scheduling overlap with the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup held in India between October and November.
In an interesting turn, the Test match has been incorporated into the limited-overs series, showcasing a concerted effort by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa to bolster the prominence of women’s cricket in its traditional format. Notably, in December last year, India squared off against England and Australia in Mumbai, securing victories over both sides. The monumental wins included a resounding triumph over England by 347 runs and a notable eight-wicket victory against Australia, marking the highest total in women’s Test cricket.
