Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to get ruled out of the 2 Tests against South Africa, beginning December 26 in Cape Town. The opening batter missed out on the third and final ODI against the Proteas on Thursday after injuring his finger. Captain KL Rahul informed at the toss that Gaikwad was benched after ‘doing some damage to his finger’ and was replaced by Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar.
According to Cricbuzz, Gaikwad hasn’t recovered from the injury which tempted the team management to release him before the start of the series next week. The 26-year-old batter suffered the injury during the second ODI against the hosts at Port Elizabeth on December 19.
“(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,” the BCCI stated before the start of the third and final ODI on Thursday.
The report suggested that Gaikwad is unlikely to recover from the injury before either of the two Tests. The team management, after consulting with the BCCI, has decided to release him immediately. He is expected to reach home by Saturday.
Virat Kohli returns home
The report also stated that Virat Kohli flew back home citing a personal emergency. Though there is no clarity over the nature of the emergency, it has been learned that he’ll be back in South Africa on December 22 (Friday).
Kohli was rested from the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour that saw India take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series followed by three ODIs.
The T20I series ended 1-1 with the first match being washed out due to rain.
India clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 with Sanju Samson hitting a maiden century in the decider played at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday. Arshdeep Singh was the star of the series, finishing with 10 wickets including a maiden five-wicket haul.
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