Virat Kohli will return due to a family emergency while Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against South Africa starting on 26th December 2023. Virat Kohli had to miss the three-day intra-squad match played in Pretoria. Ruturaj Gaikwad missed the 3rd One-day international match against South Africa at Paarl due to an injury as Rajat Patidar made his debut.
Ruturaj Gaikwad played the first two One-day international matches against South Africa at Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. According to BCCI officials, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the Test series.
Virat Kohli had travelled to South Africa for the series but will return to India due to a family emergency. He is expected to return for the first Test match to be played at Centurion on 26th December 2023. Kohli will play a key role in helping Team India register their first-ever Test series win on South African soil since 1992.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured during the 2nd One-day international match at Port Elizbeth. “(He) hasn’t fully recovered from the blow he sustained to his ring finger while fielding in the second ODI. He remains under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” the BCCI stated before the start of the third and final ODI on Thursday.
It has now emerged that there is no chance of his recovery before either of the two Tests and the team management, after consulting the BCCI, has decided to release him immediately. He is expected to reach India by Saturday. The Indian team will play two Test matches against South Africa with the first one to be played at SuperSport Park, Centurion on 26th December 2023 while the second Test match will take place at Newlands, Cape Town from 3rd January 2024.
India yet to win Test series on South African soil
The Indian Cricket Team is yet to win a Test series on South African soil since 1992. During the last Test series in South Africa, India won the first match at Centurion before losing the next two matches at Johannesburg and Cape Town to lose the series by 1-2.
It will be interesting to see if Rohit Sharma and Co could win their maiden Test series on South African soil.
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