Incumbent captain Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg which kicked off on January 3 (Monday).
Opener KL Rahul, who walked out for the toss for the first time, revealed that Virat Kohli was down with a “back spasm.” The stand-in captain also added that the physios are working with the talismanic run-scorer to get him fit for the next game, which is due on January 11.
Speaking at the toss, KL Rahul said:
“Unfortunately, Virat has had an upper back spasm. The physios are on him. Hopefully, he’ll recover for the next Test.”
Toss Update – KL Rahul has won the toss and elects to bat first in the 2nd Test.
Captain Virat Kohli misses out with an upper back spasm.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/2YarVIea4H
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022
It will be a massive blow to India considering Virat Kohli’s impeccable record on this ground. In four innings here, he has 310 runs at an average of 77.50, including a hundred and two fifties.
Hanuma Vihari, who has been due for an opportunity, has replaced Virat Kohli in the playing XI. Vihari last played for India during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, where he soldiered through a torn hamstring and helped save the Sydney Test with a valiant knock.
The batter from Andhra has been in scintillating form in recent times with the India A squad against South Africa A. The middle-order batter amassed 227 runs at 75.66. He was preferred over Shreyas Iyer, who had a dream debut against New Zealand.
