Table of Contents
In a major setback for the India, prolific batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the upcoming two-game Test series against South Africa. The batter was part of India’s T20I and ODI squad, which triumphed over the Proteas.
The reason behind Ruturaj’s exclusion
The unfortunate events unfolded during the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha when Ruturaj injured his right ring finger while fielding. This incident prompted immediate action, with the latter undergoing thorough scans and subsequent consultations with medical experts. The 26-year-old will now report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for further management of his injury, temporarily stopping his on-field contributions.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s replacement
To fill the void left by Ruturaj, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as the replacement player.
Easwaran boasts an impressive record with 88 first-class matches and an equal number of List-A games under his belt. His inclusion in the squad is expected to bring depth and experience to the batting lineup, providing a valuable addition to the team’s resources as they gear up for the challenging Test series against the Temba Bavuma-led side.
Also READ – SA vs IND 2023-24: Stats and records of South Africa and India against each other in Test cricket
Other notable developments in the Indian Test squad
In a series of significant developments within the Indian squad, Rohit Sharma is set to take charge of the team, marking his return to international cricket after a hiatus after the ODI World Cup 2023. However, the team faces more challenges as batter Ishan Kishan has withdrawn from the side citing personal reasons and fast bowler Mohammed Shami has also been ruled out due to injury. Fans and cricket enthusiasts will eagerly watch as the team navigates through this unexpected twist and strives for success on foreign soil.
