SA vs IND 2023: Virat Kohli flies home due to family emergency; Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out
Team India are currently in the Rainbow Nation for important assignments. Initially, the three-match T20I series came to a close, with both teams winning a game each and the first game was abandoned without a toss. On the contrary, the ODI series went in favour of India as they won the series by 2-1.
Now, the cricketing action shifts towards the highly-anticipated Test series, which marks the return of big names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who didn’t feature in the T20I and the ODI series. Meanwhile, in the latest development, Virat Kohli has returned home owing to a family emergency.
The former Indian captain had to skip the three-day intra-squad game, which is being held in Pretoria. However, the exact details of Kohli’s emergency status are not clear. As per BCCI sources, Virat Kohli will be back in action to mark his presence in the first Test match.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the Test series
As per the latest sources within the BCCI, Ruturaj Gaikwad is far from reaching 100% fitness levels. The source added that the opening batter had not recuperated from a finger injury before he was released by the Indian team management.
The 26-year-old cricketer picked up a finger injury which he sustained during the second OD at Port Elizabeth. “Gaikwad 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 mentioned in a release ahead of the series decider on December 21.
The Test opener will be held on December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion. The second and final Test will kick off on January 3, 2024, at Newlands, Cape Town. Indians have always struggled to produce a spark in South African conditions. It will be quite interesting to see how they approach the challenge this time around.
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