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Why Is Virat Kohli Not Playing Against South Africa In Johannesburg?

Virat Kohli dismissal

Photo Credit: (Twitter)

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.”

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.


India make a strong start after opting to bat first

Opting to bat first, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave a solid start, keeping the new ball bowlers at bay. They added 36 runs for the first wicket before young Marco Jansen provided the first blood for South Africa.

The young left-arm pacer, who is only playing his 2nd Test, produced a cracker of a delivery to get the better of Mayank. The dismissal of Mayank also forced the dismissal of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane on back-to-back deliveries, putting India at 49/3 at the stroke of lunch.


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