Abhimanyu Easwaran has been selected as the replacement for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa. Gaikwad sustained an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha, leading to his exclusion from the Test series against the Proteas.
India, having drawn the T20I series 1-1 and clinched the ODI series 2-1, is set to face South Africa in a two-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled at SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26 to 30, while the second Test will take place in Cape Town at Newlands from January 3 to 7.
Issuing an official statement on the alteration in the Indian Test squad on Saturday, December 23, the BCCI stated:
“Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. He underwent scans, and following an expert consultation, the BCCI Medical Team has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.”
“He will be reporting to the NCA for further management of his injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement.”
At 26 years old, Gaikwad has featured in six ODIs and 19 T20Is for India, amassing 115 and 500 runs, respectively. However, he is still awaiting his Test debut. On the other hand, Easwaran, with experience in 88 first-class matches, has scored 6567 runs at an average of 47.24, including 26 fifties and 22 centuries.
Harshit Rana has been sidelined from the four-day match against South Africa A
The India A squad set to face South Africa A in a four-day match starting on December 26 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni will witness alterations. Harshit Rana, the fast bowler, has been excluded from the match due to a hamstring injury.
Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Avesh Khan, and Rinku Singh have been included in India A’s squad for the upcoming match against South Africa A, as confirmed by the selection committee. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad.
India A’s updated squad for four-day match against SA A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Manav Suthar, Rinku Singh.
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