India's tour to South Africa to go ahead - sources confirm "mutual agreement" between BCCI and CSA

India last toured South Africa in 2010/11 and drew the series 1-1.

After a row of controversies and much delay, it is understood that BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have finally reached a “mutual agreement” regarding India’s tour of South Africa at the end of this year.

CNN-IBN has quoted sources saying that a series of 2 Tests and 3 ODIs has been agreed in principle by the two boards, and an official confirmation is due soon. It is believed that CSA wanted a third Test thrown in the mix too, but the BCCI is yet to take a decision on it.

The sources also indicate that in matters related to BCCI in future, Haroon Lorgat is to be kept out of the loop as far as CSA is concerned.

The main issue between BCCI and CSA was the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as the CEO of the South African cricket board. When in July earlier this year CSA announced a full schedule of an extended tour consisting of 2 T20Is, 7 ODIs and 3 Tests, BCCI raised objection, saying that the Indian board was not consulted before announcing the schedule.

BCCI kept mum on the series for a long while before squeezing in a short series against West Indies in November and preponing the New Zealand tour earlier next year, eating into the window earlier allocated to the South African series in ICC’s Future Tours Programme.

The deadlock continued even as N Srinivasan was re-elected the BCCI president and subsequently cleared by the Supreme Court to take full charge of the board.

Then on BCCI secretary, Sanjay Patel’s invitation, Chris Nenzani, CSA president landed in India to hold talks with the BCCI top brass.

The two presidents and Patel, along with CSA independent director Norman Arendse, had long discussions in Mumbai on Saturday to come to this decision. The meeting was held behind closed doors and away from the attention of the press.