Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has reportedly flown back home for some family emergency. The star batter is named in India's two-match Test series squad against South Africa, which begins on December 26. Moreover, star opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has reportedly been ruled out of the series.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Kohli left for Mumbai some three days ago and had obtained permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian team management to miss India's three-day intra-squad game in Pretoria. The specific details of the emergency are not clear, it added. Kohli is expected to return back to South Africa on Friday (December 22). The BCCI sources say that Kohli will be back and will be available for the first game in Centurion.
Gaikwad second Indian to miss Test series
Notably, after Mohammed Shami, India have been dealt with another blow as Ruturaj Gaikwad has reportedly been ruled out due to a finger injury. Gaikwad got injured during the second ODI of the just-concluded three-match series. He was not picked for the series decider as Rajat Patidar replaced him in the Playing XI. The Indian board had informed about Gaikwad's fitness ahead of the third ODI game. "(He) 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."
Earlier Shami was ruled out from the red-ball games as the medical team had not given him clearance. It was earlier learnt that Shami was recuperating from an ankle issue after the ODI World Cup 2023.
India recently took part in a three-day Intra-squad match. Several players showed their brilliance. The likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur had a good outing in the game. India's Test series will begin with the first match to be played in Centurion from December 26 onwards, followed by the last one in Cape Town from January 3.
