Virat Kohli returned to India from South Africa, citing a family emergency, ahead of the Test series against the Proteas.
The seriousness of the situation is demonstrated by the fact that sources close to the squad have revealed that Kohli asked the Indian team management for permission to take a brief leave of absence.
Kohli is expected not to play in the current three-day intra-squad match at Tuks Oval in Pretoria.
However, the Indian board has assured that Kohli will rejoin the squad in time for the much-anticipated first Test match against South Africa, which is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Centurion.
Despite the absence of the talismanic Kohli, the team is gearing up for the Test series with determination and strategic planning.
The absence of Kohli during the ongoing practice match offers an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their skills.
Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad, the young batsman, has suffered a serious setback as he will not play in the Test series because of a finger injury he suffered on December 19 during the second ODI against South Africa.
A blow to his bright future is anticipated as Gaikwad will be sidelined for roughly five weeks due to the injury.
Gaikwad’s replacement is expected to be announced shortly by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested in the T20I and ODI series against South Africa as part of the team’s intentional player management leading up to the Test series.
India’s dedication to achieving maximum performance on the demanding South African surfaces is evidenced by the focus on player workload management.
Fans are excited to see if the Indian squad can overcome the unprecedented challenge of winning a Test series in South Africa.
The first Test of the IND vs SA series will start on December 26. The second Test is slated to begin on January 3 in Cape Town.
The sudden changes have given the Indian team’s campaign an element of unpredictability, which has increased the interest of cricket fans across the world in the next Test series.
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