IND vs SA: Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruled Out Of Test Series, Sarfaraz Khan And Rinku Singh Added To India A Squad

Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the two-match IND vs SA Test series since December 26, 2023. The reason behind the same is the finger injury that he sustained ahead of the third match of the ODI series due to which Rajat Patidar replaced him in the match.

BCCI issued a press media release and informed regarding Gaikwad’s exclusion from the Test series. The selection committee has named left-handed opening batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement.

Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the IND vs SA Test series

The press release read, “Mr Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. He underwent scans, and following an expert consultation, the BCCI Medical Team has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour. He will be reporting to the NCA for further management of his injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement.”

“Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the four-day match against South Africa A starting on 26^th December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni owing to a hamstring injury. The Selection Committee has added Mr Rajat Patidar, Mr Sarfaraz Khan, Mr Avesh Khan, and Mr Rinku Singh to India A’s squad while Mr Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad.”

Ruturaj Gaikwad was not part of the T20I squad against the Proteas whereas came up with scores of 5 and 4 in the first two matches of the ODI series. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill available in the Test squad as first-choice openers, Abhimanyu Easwaran is not expected to get a chance in the Test series against South Africa.

Getting back to India’s tour of South Africa, the two-match T20I series ended up at a scoreline of 1-1 whereas the Indian team was able to win the ODI series by 2-1. As the Indian team emerged victorious in the ODI series, they will want to win their first-ever Test series on South African land.

The Indian team was able to win the first Test when they went to South Africa in 2021, but lost the next two matches of the series and were not able to record the first-ever Test series win in South Africa.

The Indian team is number one in the ICC Men’s Test team rankings and also qualified for the finals of the previous two editions of the World Test Championship. However, the Indian team will want to win the series against the Proteas to add necessary points to the WTC 2023-25 points table.

The Indian team has a world-class bowling attack and has the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin in their bowling line up. The Indian bowlers have the ability to take 20 wickets and win Test matches for the team.

The trend started under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Indian captain Rohit Sharma will be wanting to continue the trend.