In a surprising turn of events, the Indian cricket team faced a double setback just days before the much-anticipated Test series against South Africa. Former captain Virat Kohli had to abruptly leave the ongoing intra-squad game in Pretoria to attend a family emergency, while opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the series due to a lingering finger injury.
Virat Kohli’s Emergency Return: Details surrounding Virat Kohli’s family emergency remain undisclosed, but according to BCCI sources, the 35-year-old is expected to rejoin the team before the opening Test on December 26. Kohli had already been granted permission to skip the intra-squad match and left for Mumbai three days ago. His return is eagerly awaited, given his crucial role in the team and his reputation as one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Injury Woes: Ruturaj Gaikwad, who suffered a finger injury during the second ODI against South Africa, has been unable to recover in time for the Test series opener. The BCCI statement revealed that Gaikwad “hasn’t fully recovered from the blow he sustained to his ring finger.” With little chance of recovery within the next four days, the team management, in consultation with the BCCI, made the decision to release him from the squad.
Other Absences in the Indian Squad: India’s woes don’t end there, as they have already lost the services of Mohammed Shami due to an ankle injury. Despite being named in the squad, Shami remained under the watch of the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Additionally, Ishan Kishan, who kept wickets during India’s Test series in the West Indies, will also be absent from the South Africa series, citing personal reasons.
Intra-Squad Game Highlights: The ongoing three-day intra-squad game in Pretoria has witnessed noteworthy performances from red-ball regulars like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur showcased their skills, while batsmen Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran delivered decent performances. The team management will likely analyze these performances as they prepare for the upcoming series.
As the Indian cricket team faces unexpected challenges just before the South Africa Test series, fans and experts alike eagerly await Virat Kohli’s return and the team’s ability to adapt to the unforeseen circumstances. The absence of key players will undoubtedly test the depth and resilience of the Indian squad as they gear up for a challenging series in South Africa.
Virat Kohli Returns Home Due to Family Emergency, Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out of South Africa Test Series