Kohli leaves SA due to family injury; Ruturaj ruled out of SA Tests

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the forthcoming Test series against the Proteas, while Virat Kohli missed out the three-day intra-squad game currently in progress in Pretoria. As per the sources within the Indian Cricket Board, the up and coming opener has not fully recovered from the finger injury he picked during the second ODI. He has been released from the squad by the Indian team management. 

Kohli, who recently went to South Africa for the Test series, had to head back home owing to a family emergency. The exact details behind the injury are not specified, but the Indian Cricket Board sources state that he will be back for the opening test, which starts at Centurion on December 26. 

Kohli left for Mumbai three days after getting permission from the team management and the Indian Cricket Board to skip the three day practice match in Pretoria. Kohli is expected to return back on Friday (December 22). 

Gaikwad, picked a finger 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 Indian Cricket Board Medical Team," the Indian Cricket Board stated prior to the third and final ODI on Thursday.  It is now reported that there is no chance of his recovery before either of the two games, and the team management, upon consultation with the Indian Cricket Board, has decided to release him with immediate effect. He will reach India by Saturday. 

Meanwhile, the practice game, which will finish on Friday, was highlighted by impressive performance from various Indian players so far. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran made the most of the opportunity that came their way while captain Rohit Sharma and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah along with Prasidh Krishna and Shadul Thakur had notable outings. 

As of now, all of the Indian players have been dispersed, having been busy playing various matches. With the ODI leg finishing on Thursday and three day practice game concluding on Friday, all sets of the Indian contingent will now gather in Johannesburg and travel from there to Centurion for the first Test. The players after the Boxing Day Test will then move to Cape Town for the second and final test which is slated on January 3.