India's tour of South Africa to be shortened in favour of home series against Sri Lanka

Board of Control for Cricket in India had agreed in January that India would participate in the Independence Cup in Sri Lanka in 2018, also featuring the hosts, Pakistan, and South Africa. However, Cricbuzz reported that the Independence Cup is likely to be changed into a tri-nation series with the third team being Bangladesh, which will be played in March to celebrate Sri Lanka's 70th Independence Day.

While Sri Lanka's schedule for the tour of India is not finalized yet, the Islanders are expected to play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International during the tour, originally scheduled in February. Following the proposal of Independence Cup in March, the Sri Lankan board has requested the BCCI to reschedule the tour. 

The itinerary for Sri Lanka's tour of India and India's tour of South Africa this year haven't yet been constructed, but it is likely that the Indian team's stay in South Africa will be reduced in the favour of the home series. India will play Australia at home in October after the conclusion of their tour of Sri Lanka on September 6 followed by the tour of South Africa.

"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," Ashley de Silva, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO, told Cricbuzz.

"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."