Virat returns home ahead of South Africa Test series
Virat Kohli has temporarily returned home from South Africa due to personal reasons but is anticipated to rejoin the Indian Test squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. During the build-up to the two-Test series, Kohli didn't participate in the Indians' three-day intra-squad match, which was the sole red-ball outing for several senior players, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's unfortunate finger injury has ruled him out of the two-Test series. Abhimanyu Easwaran, presently part of the India A squad on a shadow tour of South Africa, has been named as Gaikwad's replacement as the reserve opener. The opening partnership is expected to feature Rohit Sharma alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, reminiscent of their collaboration during India's recent Test series in the Caribbean.
Abhimanyu showcased his form with an unbeaten 61 during the practice game in Pretoria before being retired by the team management. He's likely to feature for India A in the second four-day match against South Africa A starting on December 26, followed by his integration into the national squad ahead of the New Year's Test in Cape Town.
Gaikwad, on the other hand, is set to head back home and proceed to the BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. His injury occurred during fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. Rajat Patidar made his debut in Gaikwad's absence during the series-deciding final ODI in Paarl, which India emerged victorious in.
India's Test squad, under the coaching staff led by Rahul Dravid, has undergone preparations in Pretoria for the past four days. KL Rahul, stand-in ODI captain, and Mukesh Kumar are expected to join the Test squad after a day's rest following the ODI series. Shreyas Iyer, part of the ODI mix, was released from the squad post the first ODI to prepare for the upcoming Tests.
Both Iyer and Rahul will be making a return to Test cricket after an extended absence, having last played during the Border-Gavaskar series at home against Australia in February. Rahul, likely to handle wicketkeeping duties, missed subsequent tours due to injury, while Iyer has primarily been involved in ODI cricket post his recovery from back surgery.
The impending series marks India's second assignment in the new WTC cycle for 2023-25. Despite winning the first Test in the Caribbean, rain thwarted their chances in the second encounter
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