IND vs SA: Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out of Test Series, BCCI Names Replacement

Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the forthcoming Test series against South Africa due to injury. The selection committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement for the 2 Tests, starting December 26 in Centurion.

Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. He underwent scans, and following an expert consultation, the BCCI Medical Team has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour. He will be reporting to the NCA for further management of his injury.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the four-day match against South Africa A starting on 26th December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni owing to a hamstring injury. The Selection Committee has added Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Avesh Khan and Rinku Singh to India A’s squad while Kuldeep Yadav has been released.

India A’s updated squad for four-day match against SA A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, Akash Deep, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Manav Suthar, Rinku Singh.

Virat Kohli returned home

Virat Kohli flew back home citing a personal emergency. According to reports, Kohli was granted permission by the team management to skip the practice game and attend the emergency back home. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is tight-lipped on Kohli’s absence from the intra-squad game and is yet to respond to CricketNext’s query.

Last week, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was released from the Test squad. An official release from the BCCI cited “personal reasons” and also announced KS Bharat as a replacement.

“Mr Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad,” BCCI said in an official statement.