Just four days left before the much-awaited two-match Test series between India and South Africa gets underway at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, but the visiting camp had two huge blows on Friday afternoon. Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who failed to recover from his finger injury, has been ruled out of the contest and hence been released from the squad subsequently, according to a report in Cricbuzz, while former India captain Virat Kohli had to miss the ongoing three-day intra-squad game in Pretoria to fly back home for an emergency.
The report did not mention the exact details of the emergency, but the website has been informed by BCCI sources that Kohli will be back in time for the opening game which starts on December 26. The 35-year-old had left for home, Mumbai, three days back after team management had permitted him to skip the intra-squad match. Kohli is expected to join the team on Friday, December 22.
Gaikwad, on the other hand, had incurred a finger injury during the second ODI match against South Africa earlier this week and hence was ruled out of the third match as well where Rajat Patidar was handed his debut cap. "(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 statement said before the start of the ODI series decider in Paarl. BCCI has released him from the squad as it is almost impossible that his injury would recover in 4 days.
Team India has earlier lost Mohammad Shami due to his ankle injury. Despite his name on the list, he did not leave India and he is under the watch of BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Besides him, Ishan Kisan will also not to be a part of the squad as he had "requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons".
The intra-squad game is set to conclude on Friday, showcasing the talent of several impressive players. In the red-ball regulars, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur have all demonstrated exceptional performance. Additionally, Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu have shown promise as well. This game serves as a warm-up for the upcoming two-game Test series against South Africa, which will begin on December 26.
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