Will elections shift the IPL out of India, like it did in 2009?

Does anyone know what the final itinerary for India's South African tour is, asks Faisal Shariff.

Or whether India will play five Tests in England next year.

Or whether elections will move the IPL out of India.

There is some celebration in India about the India 'A' side beating South Africa 'A' in its den in the first unofficial 'Test'.

There is some hope apparently about India's upcoming tour to South Africa.

News Flash: India is the only side that South Africa has not beaten home or away since 2007.

Of course, Pakistan have drawn a series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates, its adopted home, but have struggled to repeat that feat in South Africa.

Australia and England have had a drawn series in South Africa, and lost twice at home.

In India, there is little or no recollection of India's last two Test series in South Africa.

In 2006-2007, under Rahul Dravid's captaincy, India won its first-ever Test in South Africa, lost the second and -- but for a dramatic collapse in the final Test -- could have held on for a drawn series, but lost 1-2.

In 2010-2011, we did much better.

India lost the first Test, but roared back to level the series -- thanks to the maverick S Sreesanth -- and were in a position to win the third till an injured Jacques Kallis fought to restore South Africa's pride.

The final scoreline: 1-1.

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Obviously, a generation of veterans from India has moved to the commentary box, but to write off this Indian team would be futile.

But does anyone know what the final itinerary is for the South African tour?

No one knows, as India takes its time to teach South Africa a lesson about who the real boss in world cricket is -- the issue relates to Haroon Lorgat's appointment as Cricket South Africa's CEO despite the BCCI's warning.

As India plays hard ball, the indications are that the money-spinning Twenty20 games may be sacrificed.

It's not just the South African tour, India's entire 2013-2014 season appears fluid with nothing confirmed.

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New Zealand Cricket has been on tenterhooks since the tour (India's tour to New Zealand in 2014) was confirmed last year as part of the new Future Tours Programme.

NZC apparently made the mistake of planning an American league in association with an Indian businessman.

This resulted in India first looking to scrap the January-February 2014 tour.

Then, after the idea of an American league collapsed, followed by a trip by NZC CEO David White to Mumbai, there was a change of heart in the BCCI.

NZC had sold its television rights (for the subcontinent) with the India tour in mind.

The tour is on, but we don't what the shape of the series will be.

Why? Because the New Zealand tour is followed by the much-maligned, biennial, Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

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India was meant to host the Asia Cup, but, apparently, declined on the grounds that it did not earn any revenue for the BCCI.

The tournament is once again likely to be hosted by Bangladesh, like it did in 2012.

The Asia Cup is a tournament where, for the last four years, teams in the continent allot 10 precious days of their schedule to earn revenue for the Asian Cricket Council.

This money is spent promoting the game in countries like China. The ACC forgets a small detail -- that a fifth ODI nation from the region -- Afghanistan -- also exists, but refuses to invite the fast-rising cricketing country.

Why? Because a fifth team would eat into four more days of their valuable time.

Right after the Asia Cup is the T20 World Cup, which again appears to be in a state of confusion, with the ICC unable to make up its mind on the venues in Bangladesh.

The IPL follows soon after, but if elections are held on time, like in May 2009, will we host the tournament in India?

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Wait till you consider what is in store next year when India tours England.

The English assume it will be a five Test tour as agreed upon previously, but they are mistaken.

India last played a five Test series in the West Indies in 2002 and that could well be the last time in its history, if the BCCI has its way.

In England, unlike in India, the ECB announces schedules a year ahead and even announces ticketing programmes early.

But Darling, Yeh Hai India and we are the 'last-minute' world champions.