The meeting between Board of Control for Cricket in India president N Srinivasan and his Cricket South Africa counterpart Chris Nenzani on Saturday didn't yield any conclusive result on the itinerary of India's tour of South Africa but is seen by many as the "first step towards right direction".
According to sources, Srinivasan and BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel had a lengthy discussion with Nenzani and CSA Independent director Norman Arendse on the schedule and duration of the tour although nothing has been finalised.
"BCCI bosses have stated their reservations on a certain issues and also requested Nenzani to deal at his own end. The meeting was held at a five-star facility in place of BCCI headquarters in order to avoid media glare. We have learnt that Nenzani has said that he will brief the CSA members on the matter and get back to BCCI in a few days time," a source in the know of things said.
Repeated calls and text messages to senior BCCI office-bearers went unanswered while all that BCCI General Manager (Game Development) Ratnakar Shetty said was, "Once everything is finalised, you people will be given a press release!"
CSA had initially announced an itinerary that included three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20 Internationals which BCCI immediately shot down accusing the home board of taking decisions unilaterally.
BCCI's reservations for CSA's chief executive Haroon Lorgat is also believed to be a reason for this decision.
If the series finally happens, then there are a couple of possibilities -- two Tests and three ODIs or only three Tests with the limited overs series being scheduled at a later date.
In order to be counted for the ICC ranking points and be recognised by cricket's governing body's FTP, one needs to play a minimum of two Test matches in a bilateral series.
Image: N Srinivasan
Photograph: Jack Dabaghian/Getty Images
