'Rishabh Pant comeback series' - Fans react as Indian Cricket Board announces schedule for India's tour of South Africa

India vs South Africa (Source: Twitter)

The Indian cricket board announced the full schedule of team India for the tour of South Africa. After the big ODI World Cup in October and November, India will tour South Africa and play 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and 2 Test matches.

The men in blue will take on the Proteas in T20Is from 10th December to 14th December. The first T20I will be hosted by Durban. The second T20I will happen in Gqeberha. The decider of the shortest game format will happen in Johannesburg, where the final of the inaugural T20 World Cup was played between India and Pakistan.

The ODI series between the two sides will take place from the 17th to the 21st December. The first ODI of the series will be played in Johannesburg, where the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup was played between India and Australia. The second match of the series will be played in Gqeberha and the decider of the ODIs in Paarl.

Freedom Trophy between India and South Africa

After a little gap of 4 days, the Freedom Trophy between India and South Africa will start. The boxing day Test match between the two sides will be played in Centurion from 26th to 30th December of 2023. The new year Test - the second and final match of the series will take place in Cape Town from the 3rd to the 7th of January.

The secretary of the Indian cricket board, Jay Shah, spoke about the schedule and said “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. 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. India has always received strong support in South Africa, and I am confident that fans will be treated to some enthralling contests with no shortage of intensity".

Here's how the fans reacted to India's schedule: 

Rishabh Pant comeback series 🔥

— DC HYPE (@17xDC) July 14, 2023

Abhi toh last year haar ke aaye thay

— Sohail (@sohailb19) July 14, 2023

Rohit sharma isn't playing this to manage work load or cz of injury

— Binit Rajput (@rajput_binit) July 14, 2023

This time we have to conquer our final frontier, no second thoughts

— vedaant sharma (@sharma_vedaant1) July 14, 2023

India will get new captain by then

— sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ms-dho (@RohitSa41947913) July 14, 2023

Again only 3 Odi's 🤔 , can Play 5 T20's anywhere but not 5 odi's

— ShailendraM777 (@ShailendraM77) July 14, 2023

pant will play this series

— SH17 (@Harinima12345) July 14, 2023

Sad Rohit Sharma ,Rahul Dravid won’t be part of it after defeat in 50 over World Cup

— Ash (@aashish27721337) July 14, 2023

Tight schedule for much needed rest before IPL 👏

— subegh singh (@subegh14) July 14, 2023

Only 2 test? Wtf

— Aman_18 (@Amanxd18) July 14, 2023