In a shocking blow to India, skipper Virat Kohli will not play in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Tour vice-captain KL Rahul, who came out in the draw wearing the blue Indian jacket for the first time, revealed that Kohli had a “back spasm”. Rahul said the team’s physical therapists are working with the 33-year-old and the team expects him to return for the third test, which will begin on January 11.
Kohli has talked about his back problems in the past, but this is the first time in recent memory that she has ruled him out of a test. It’s a blow to the visitors because Kohli has an impressive record at Wanderers Stadium. In four innings here, he has 310 runs at an average of 77.50, including one hundred and two fifty.
Who has replaced Virat Kohli in India’s 11 for the 2nd Test?
Toss Update – KL Rahul has won the toss and elects to bat first in the 2nd Test.
Captain Virat Kohli misses out with an upper back spasm.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/2YarVIea4H
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022
Hanuma Vihari, who was close to getting a call-up, replaced Kohli in the 11th game for the second test. Vihari last played for India during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, where he tore through a torn hamstring and helped save the Sydney Test with a valiant blow.
He was excluded from India’s last series against New Zealand and sent on a tour from India ‘A’ to South Africa ‘A’, where he came back as the leading scorer with 227 runs at 75.66. Vihari getting the nod on Shreyas Iyer, who was brilliant in his debut against New Zealand, could raise a few eyebrows.
