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Freedom Trophy

Freedom Trophy is a test series between India and South Africa that was started in 2007 in honor of the ideals of both countries; Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Till now 5 Freedom Trophy series have been played and the recent 2023-24 series ended with a draw, while the titleholder remained South Africa, who won the earlier version. The next edition of the Freedom Trophy tournament hasn’t been scheduled yet.

December 10, 2023 - January 7, 2024

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Introduction

The victor of the Test series between South Africa and India, receives the Freedom Trophy, a cricket trophy. The trophy was first presented in 2015 and is named in honor of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. This trophy is an opportunity for gamblers to bet on their favorite team and players. Both India and South Africa played eleven series before the trophy was established, six in South Africa & five in India. Six South African triumphs, two Indian victories, and three series that ended in draws made up the overall record.

The upcoming bilateral visits between South Africa and India would be referred to as the Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela Bilateral Series, the BCCI and CSA decided in 2015. A test-style cricket format is used during the series. The series is titled after the founding fathers of both nations concerning their contributions to the nonviolent struggle for independence. The series has also benefited from achieving an "iconic & traditional status" because of this.

The "Freedom Trophy" has been given to the Test Series. Freedom for which Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi gave their lives, enabling a nation to be raised free from years of enslavement and oppression. By naming the series after these great leaders, BCCI can honor them on behalf of all our nation's citizens and make a personal plea to every one of them to embrace their principles and choose the road they suggested.

To further enhance your understanding of the Freedom Trophy and explore the best betting opportunities available for this iconic series, you can also read this article in Hindi (फ्रीडम ट्रॉफी हिंदी समीक्षा) At IndiaBetMaster.com, we provide not only in-depth cricket analysis but also expert guidance on the top betting brands for this event. As a part of India Bet Master, this article ensures you have all the information needed—whether you're following the series or looking to make informed bets. Dive into the details in English or Hindi to get the full picture and make the most of your betting experience.

Type: Test Cricket

Title Holder: South Africa

First Edition: 2015-16

Last Edition: 2023-24

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Current Season

From December 2023 to January 2024, the Indian cricket team traveled to South Africa to play two Test matches, three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and three One Day Internationals (ODIs). The ICC World Test Championship for 2023–2025 included the Test series. Both sides used the T20I series as a component of their preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2024. The tour schedule was released by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on July 14, 2023.

South Africa won the first Test by an innings and thirty-two runs. India finished the Test series with a 1-1 draw after winning the second Test by 7 wickets.

Now India and South Africa will face each other in the 2023-25 ICC Test Championship as the next edition of the Freedom Trophy tournament hasn’t been scheduled yet. The 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship is an ongoing tournament of Test Cricket which is the third edition of the ICC World Test Championship.

The latest edition of the Freedom Trophy, held in the 2023-24 season, between India and South Africa, brought several key updates and memorable moments that distinguished it from previous editions. Notably, this series was closely contested, with South Africa showcasing significant resilience, especially on their home turf. The series saw standout performances from bowlers like Lungi Ngidi, who turned matches with decisive spells, as seen during his triple-wicket maiden that rattled the Indian batting lineup in Cape Town.

This season also saw a few noteworthy cultural and broadcasting developments. The matches were not just high-profile in cricketing terms but also in terms of audience engagement. Broadcast partnerships expanded across both traditional and digital platforms, allowing broader viewership in India, with Hindi commentary becoming more accessible on digital streaming platforms to cater to a wider audience base. Sponsorship deals saw a fresh wave, with prominent betting companies targeting Indian fans, reflecting the growing intersection of sports and gaming industries.

From a cultural and broadcast perspective, this edition of the Freedom Trophy saw increased engagement through digital platforms and betting sponsorships. The series was not just a cricketing spectacle but also a major event for online bettors, with platforms offering enhanced betting options and bonuses specifically tailored for the tournament. These integrations highlight the growing intersection of sports and online gaming in India, making the Freedom Trophy not just a matter of national pride but also a major event for the online betting community.

For a comprehensive guide to betting on cricket, including detailed reviews, betting tips, and more information on the Freedom Trophy and other cricket events, be sure to continue to explore IndiaBetMaster.com, available in both English and Hindi.

Date Stage Team 1 Team 2 Score
10-12-2023 International T20I South Africa India Canceled
12-01-2024 International T20I India South Africa 180/7 - 154/5
14-12-2023 International T20I India South Africa 201/7 - 95
17-12-2023 International ODI South Africa India 116 - 117/2
19-12-2023 International ODI India South Africa 211 - 215/2
21-12-2023 International ODI India South Africa 296/8 - 218
26-12-2023 International Test India South Africa 245 & 131 - 408
03-01-2024 International Test South Africa India 55 & 176 - 153 & 80/3
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Previous Seasons

From September 29 to December 7, 2015, the South African team toured India. Three T20I matches, five ODI, and four Test matches made up the tour. South Africa played India in a Twenty20 International for the first time, which happened to be the first time a four-match Test series between the two countries was played in India. South Africa and India split the ODI, T20I, and Test series wins. From September 29 to December 7, 2015, the South African cricket team visited India. Beginning with this series, all bilateral trips between India and South Africa were termed the Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela series, with the sides competing for the Freedom Trophy. In this tour to India, there were a total of 4 Tests, and 1 of them ended in a draw and India won the 4-test series by 3-0.

In January and February 2018, the Indian cricket team traveled to South Africa to compete in three Tests, six ODIs, & three T20 Internationals. Due to financial and scheduling conflicts, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced in January 2017 that this trip would take the place of Sri Lanka's planned visit. South Africa won the Freedom Trophy after winning the first two Test matches of the Test series, which was fought for the trophy. The Test series was ultimately won by South Africa, 2-1.

Dale Steyn made his comeback to international cricket during the Test series. In Perth, Australia, in November 2016, he last participated in a Test match for South Africa and sustained a shoulder injury. Steyn hurt his left heel on day two of the first Test, though. With a recovery period of four to six weeks, this disqualified him from the remainder of the Test. He was disqualified from the remainder of the series two days later. The series winner was the South African team.

In September and October 2019, the South Africa cricket team traveled to India to compete in three Test matches and three T20I games. The Test series was a part of the first ICC World Test Championship, which ran from 2019 to 2021. Quinton de Kock was selected captain of the T20I team in August 2019, while Cricket South Africa stated that Faf du Plessis will captain the Test team during the visit. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) decided to alter the locations of the second and third Tests later that month at the request of the Jharkhand Cricket Association owing to Durga Puja celebrations in Ranchi during the second week of October. The third Test was initially supposed to take place at Ranchi, but Pune instead hosted the second Test.

When the first match was postponed, the three-match T20I series was tied by a single point. India won the first two games of the Test series to grab a commanding 2-0 lead. India won the eleventh straight series at home, a new mark for any side in Test cricket. To finish the series 3-0, India won the last Test by innings & 202 runs.

In a bilateral Test series versus South Africa, it was India's first defeat. South Africa lost the previous two Tests by innings. When Australia visited in 1935–1936, they last suffered consecutive Test match defeats by an innings margin.

In March 2020, South Africa traveled back to India to play three ODI games. The journey to India for the ODI matches will still go on, Cricket South Africa said on March 6, 2020, despite the COVID-19 epidemic. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the two remaining ODIs will be played behind closed doors to lessen the effects of the coronavirus after the first ODI was postponed due to rain with no play. The final two ODI matches were abandoned on March 13, 2020.

Rudi Second's absence from South Africa's Test team before the tour was a result of an injury. Heinrich Klaasen took his position. Because of fitness concerns, JJ Smuts was also removed from South Africa's T20I team and George Linde took his place. Due to a stress fracture, Jasprit Bumrah was forced to withdraw from India's Test team, and Umesh Yadav took his place. Keshav Maharaj was replaced by George Linde after a shoulder injury forced him out of South Africa's team before the third and final Test. To replace Kuldeep Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem was introduced to India's lineup for the third Test. India won the 3-match series by 3-0.

During December 2021 and January 2022, the Indian cricket team traveled to South Africa to play three Tests & three ODI games. The 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship included the Test matches. India won the opening Test at Centurion Park by 113 runs, becoming the only team to ever win a Test match there. It was also Quinton de Kock's last Test match, as he declared his retirement from Test cricket after the game with immediate effect. By winning the second Test by seven wickets, South Africa tied the overall series. At the Wanderers Stadium, it was the first time South Africa had defeated India in a Test match.

The final and third Test was won by South Africa, likewise by seven wickets, giving them a 2-1 series victory. Virat Kohli announced that he was resigning as India's Test cricket captain the day after the conclusion of the third game.

With Rassie van der Dussen's perfect century, South Africa defeated England in the opening ODI by 31 runs. With one match remaining in the series, South Africa won the second one-day international by seven wickets. The series was won 3-0 by South Africa thanks to a four-run victory in the last ODI.

History & Structure

Both India and South Africa played eleven series before the trophy was established, six in South Africa & five in India. Six South African triumphs, two Indian victories, and three series that ended in draws made up the overall record. The upcoming series between India and South Africa would be known as "The Mahatma Gandhi-Nelson Mandela Series," the two nations have declared.

The "Freedom Trophy," which has been up for grabs in the recent Test series between the two countries, has also been launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa. It is named in honor of the two political personalities. Two of the most famous historical individuals in the world, Gandhi and Mandela, were instrumental in influencing the political climates of their respective nations.

The Freedom Trophy, contested between India and South Africa, was first introduced in 2015 as a symbol of the shared legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Its schedule has always been heavily influenced by various cultural, political, and economic factors, reflecting the broader context of Indo-South African relations. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have been responsible for organizing the series, ensuring that it fits within the broader international cricket calendar while also maximizing viewership and revenue.

One of the major milestones in the structure of the Freedom Trophy was its inception itself, which coincided with a period of intense political and economic cooperation between India and South Africa. This relationship helped elevate the series from just another bilateral Test competition to a prestigious event that symbolizes the historical ties between the two nations. The inaugural series in 2015 saw India host South Africa for a full tour, including Tests, ODIs, and T20s, with the Test matches being the centerpiece. The schedule was designed to take advantage of India's favorable home conditions, with matches played in traditional strongholds like Mohali, Bangalore, and Nagpur, contributing to India's dominance in the series.

Over the years, the scheduling of the Freedom Trophy has been influenced by the evolving media landscape, especially the rise of digital broadcasting and the changing viewing habits of cricket fans. The series has increasingly been scheduled during periods that align with peak viewership times in both India and South Africa, ensuring maximum exposure. The influence of sponsors, particularly those linked to betting and online gaming, has also grown, shaping not just the scheduling but the overall presentation of the series. This has led to more evening sessions, extensive pre-match shows, and interactive digital content aimed at engaging a younger, tech-savvy audience.

Furthermore, the structure of the series has been impacted by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to adjustments in the tour schedules, including the postponement of matches and bio-secure bubbles. This period saw a surge in digital viewership, prompting the organizers to explore more innovative broadcasting techniques, such as virtual fan walls and augmented reality, to maintain the fan engagement. The Freedom Trophy's history is thus a reflection of not just cricketing prowess but also the broader socio-economic trends influencing global sports.

Final Thoughts

The Freedom Trophy, a testament to the shared values and rich history between India and South Africa, has evolved into one of the most anticipated Test series in international cricket. Since its inception in 2015, the series has showcased some of the finest moments in Test cricket, with each edition bringing its own set of challenges and triumphs. From India’s dominance on home soil to South Africa’s resilience at home, the Freedom Trophy has grown in stature, becoming a marquee event that captivates cricket fans and bettors alike.

The latest season, played in 2023/24, highlighted South Africa's stronghold at home, with the Proteas securing a decisive victory in the opening Test. The series continues to reflect the shifting dynamics of international cricket, with each match keenly contested and broadcasted to millions across multiple platforms, ensuring its global appeal. While the next edition of the Freedom Trophy is yet to be officially scheduled, it is expected to follow the established pattern of being held every 2-3 years, aligning with both nations' broader cricketing commitments.

As we look ahead, the Freedom Trophy remains a significant event for both players and fans, offering a blend of historical significance and thrilling cricket. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a passionate cricket enthusiast, this series is one to watch, promising intense competition and unforgettable moments that will continue to shape the legacy of India-South Africa cricket relations.

Betting on the Freedom Trophy

India's cricket-crazy nation offers an exciting opportunity for bettors, especially when it comes to high-stakes events like the Freedom Trophy. As one of the most anticipated Test series, it provides a wide array of betting options, from match outcomes to individual player performances. With the latest edition around the corner, now is the perfect time to dive into the nuances of betting on this thrilling competition.

Is betting on the Freedom Trophy legal in India? This is a common question among cricket enthusiasts. The legality of online betting in India largely depends on state-specific laws, as the central government has left it to each state to regulate gambling activities. Currently, only states like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman have fully legalized gaming, including online betting. However, the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which is still in effect, does not explicitly address online betting, leaving room for interpretation.

This legal grey area means that Indian bettors can legally place bets on the Freedom Trophy as long as they use online sportsbooks based outside of India. Many international betting platforms cater to Indian users, offering secure, user-friendly experiences with extensive cricket betting markets. With the upcoming Freedom Trophy season expected to be more competitive than ever, it's an ideal event to explore these platforms. The improvements in live betting options, better odds, and enhanced mobile experiences make it easier and more exciting to engage with the event.

For those eager to bet on the Freedom Trophy, India Bet Master is your go-to resource. We provide comprehensive reviews of the top-rated betting brands, ensuring that you have all the information needed to make informed decisions. Whether you're betting on match winners, top scorers, or specific in-play events, IndiaBetMaster.com has you covered, helping you navigate the world of cricket betting with confidence.

Did You Know

The Freedom Trophy is one of the few Test series where both teams agreed to use the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) consistently, following years of debate. This marked a significant shift in how the game was officiated, making the Freedom Trophy a pioneer in modern cricket technology.

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