Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India is in talks with Cricket South Africa about arranging an additional One Day International series in South Africa ahead of the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup.
The proposed series could include four to six ODIs and is being considered after a request from the Indian team management. However, the series has not been officially confirmed, and the dates, venues and final number of matches remain undecided.
The reported aim is to give India's players more experience of South African conditions before the World Cup. Playing in South Africa could give India valuable experience of conditions in one of the three countries that will host the tournament.
The 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November 2027. The tournament will feature 14 teams and will be played across 12 venues in the three host countries.
India's international programme before the World Cup is already busy. The BCCI has confirmed three ODIs against the West Indies in September and October 2026, followed by three ODIs against Sri Lanka in December and three against Zimbabwe in January 2027.
India will then play a five Test series against Australia from January 21 to March 3, 2027. The international programme after the 2027 Indian Premier League has not yet been fully finalised, leaving scope for an additional ODI series if an agreement is reached.
Cricket South Africa has already announced its home schedule for the 2026 to 2027 season. South Africa are scheduled to play Australia, Bangladesh and England during the season, including ODI series against the three teams.
The currently announced South African home schedule does not include India. This means the proposed India series is not yet part of the official international calendar.
The development comes as the BCCI reviews India's recent performances and plans for the 2027 World Cup. A strategic meeting involving senior BCCI officials, the head coach and selectors has also focused on recent results, player fitness and preparations for the tournament.
India last played an ODI series in South Africa in December 2023. India won the three match series 2 1.
The proposed series would give India another opportunity to play 50 over cricket in South Africa before the World Cup. It could also help the team become more familiar with the conditions in the region.
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia are preparing to host the expanded 2027 World Cup, which will feature 14 teams after the 2019 and 2023 editions were played with 10 teams.
For India, the proposed series would add to an already demanding international programme. The BCCI will also have to consider the wider schedule and player workload before any additional fixtures are finalised.
At present, the India South Africa ODI series remains under discussion. The BCCI and Cricket South Africa have not announced the dates, venues or final number of matches, and there is no official confirmation that the series will take place.
The proposed series would have to be fitted into India's wider international programme and player workload if the two boards agree to proceed.