After the three-match T20I series ended at 1-1, Team India clinched the ODI series 2-1 against South Africa with a win in the third and final ODI match on Thursday. Now these two teams will lock horns in the two-match test series.
The first test is all set to take place on boxing day, December 26, at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. But ahead of the first test, the hosts suffered a major blow. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who reached South Africa recently, had to fly back home due to a family emergency.
However, the BCCI hasn’t confirmed what emergency was there. Virat will miss the intraday practice match for India. But as per the report from Cricbuzz, it has been learned that he will be back in Johannesburg before the first test starts on Tuesday.
On the other hand, star opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the test series. He hasn’t recovered completely from his finger injury, which has forced him to miss out on the two tests. The BCCI hasn’t named his replacement, which will be announced soon.
Gaikwad is under the supervision of the medical team, and his injury forced him to miss the third and final ODI. He will be coming back home on Saturday. Notably, the upcoming test series is part of the ongoing WTC table, and India needs to win this series to stay at the top of the table.
Team India has not won any test series on South African soil. The closest they came was last time, when they won the first game of the three-match Test series. But they end up losing the remaining two games. However, looking at the current performance, it is a great chance for Rohit Sharma and his team to end that drought. The Indian players have done a good job in the intraday practice match as well.
