 |
| File |
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has abruptly returned to Mumbai from South Africa. He is currently not participating in the three-day intra-squad practice match taking place in Pretoria. The first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Centurion.
Kohli, who has not been part of the intra-squad practice match, is expected to return to Johannesburg in time for the first Test. The reason for his sudden departure is reported to be a family emergency. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially confirmed this development.
In another setback for the Indian team, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of both Test matches. According to sources within BCCI, Gaikwad sustained a finger injury during the second ODI against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on December 19. The medical team monitored his condition, and after discussions with BCCI, the decision was made to release him from the squad. Gaikwad is expected to return to India by Saturday.
The intra-squad practice match concluded on Friday, with several Indian players delivering impressive performances. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran seized the opportunity, while captain Rohit Sharma, fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, and spinner Ravindra Jadeja showcased their effectiveness.
The first Test is set to commence on December 26 in Centurion, followed by the Boxing Day Test ending on December 30. The Indian team will then travel to Cape Town for the second and final Test starting on January 3.
Indian Test Team: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (Wicketkeeper), KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-Captain), Prasidh Krishna.
South African Test Team: Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Kegan Petersen, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.
© https://www.cricketxpedia.com/
