Dale Steyn does not want the standoff between the BCCI and CSA to result in a curtailed series between India and South Africa later this year as the speedster says the two teams share a “great cricketing rivalry”.
“It would be quite nice if India come to South Africa. There has always been a great rivalry between the two sides,” said Steyn.
The BCCI’s decision to invite the West Indies to tour India in November effectively means the schedule for India’s tour to South Africa will have to be shortened.
A final decision in this regard will only be taken after the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting in Chennai on September 29. The BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel and Cricket South Africa CEO Haroon Lorgat had a meeting on the sidelines of the ICC’s Chief Executives conclave in Dubai but the discussions failed to break the deadlock.
The dispute is reported to be fuelled by BCCI’s dissatisfaction that CSA appointed Lorgat to the chief executive position despite objections from BCCI. Lorgat had been at loggerheads with the BCCI while he was the chief executive of the ICC before taking up his current position.
Steyn said he is eagerly waiting for his duel with India’s new batting sensation Shikhar Dhawan when the country tour the Proteas for Test and ODI series.
“Shikhar (Dhawan) is in some good form right now. It will be nice to have that contest especially now that I know him well. It will be a great battle between good friends as well as strength and strength because he is batting really well at the moment,” Steyn said of his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate.
Coming back from an injury, Steyn said he is working hard to get back to top shape ahead of South Africa’s domestic season.