Kolkata to host South Africa Test

India will host South Africa for a full tour, comprising two Tests and three ODIs. Though the dates for the tour, scheduled for early this year, are yet to be finalised, India's request to play two Tests in what was originally planned as an ODI series has been accepted. Nagpur and the Eden Gardens, which is undergoing renovation for World Cup 2011, have been confirmed as the two Test venues.

Kolkata, which will host its first Test since 2007, has had trouble with its floodlights over the last two seasons, the latest incident occurring in the one-dayer between India and Sri Lanka.

Kanpur, Jaipur - which had missed out during the Australia series last year - and Ahmedabad have been decided as the three ODI venues.

India were propelled to the No.1 position in Tests following their 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka and the prospect of playing just two Tests in the next ten months, as initially scheduled, had raised fears of them being unable to preserve that position. Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's chief executive, had said the board would make space for the Tests, as requested by the BCCI, which would lengthen the tour by a week.

"They [India] have requested we play two Tests and three ODIs and we are still considering it," Majola had said. "We still have to consult with the South African Cricketers' Association, the team management, our playing regulations and fixtures committees, as well as the board. It would extend the tour by another week, but we would like to accommodate them and I don't foresee a problem with it."