Sri Lanka set to tour India in late 2017, putting Virat Kohli and Co's trip to South Africa in doubt

In what seems to be a throwback to the 2009-10 era – where Asian giants India and Sri Lanka played a number of matches – another series between the neighbouring countries has been scheduled late in 2017. According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, Sri Lanka are all set to travel to India in November and December this year for a full tour, which will feature three Tests, five one-day international and a lone Twenty20 International game. This late development, though, could affect India’s tour of South Africa which was also reportedly scheduled in December. [caption id=“attachment_3871055” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of India captain Virat Kohli and Sri Lanka’s limited overs captain Upul Tharanga.[/caption] The report further adds that Cricket South Africa (CSA) is keen on hosting India for a Boxing Day Test starting on 26 December. However, it is learnt that BCCI has been hesitant on doing so. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decided on rescheduling Sri Lanka’s tour of India – which was originally planned in February 2018 – because they will be hosting the tri-nation Independence Cup during the same time. “The Sri Lanka tour to India has been brought forward from February next year because we are hosting the tri-nation Independence Cup during that period,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva was quoted as saying in the report. “Sri Lanka was due to tour India from February end to the first week of April next year and the dates would have clashed with the Independence Cup. That’s why we requested the Indian board for a change to bring the tour forward and they have agreed,” he added. Currently, Virat Kohli and Co are in the Island nation for a 3-match Test series, 5-match ODI series and a solitary T20I. The Ravi Shastri-led side have started the tour with a win in the first Test at Galle, beating the hosts by a comprehensive margin of 304 runs.