IND vs SA 2nd Test: SHOCKER, Virat Kohli not playing Johannesburg Test

IND vs SA 2nd Test: SHOCKER, Virat Kohli not playing- In a major shock to India cricket fans, India Test captain Virat Kohli is not playing the second Test at Wanderers, Johannesburg. The development comes as a big blow to India with the visitors on brink of history. Kohli has an upper back spasm and thus misses the ongoing Test match. In his absence, KL Rahul is leading the side who is named as ODI series captain. Follow India vs South Africa LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN

“Captain Virat Kohli misses out with an upper back spasm,” BCCI wrote on Twitter while confirming the development.

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

Shreyas Iyer was also ruled out of selection for the 2nd Test owing to a stomach bug.

IND vs SA 2nd Test: SHOCKER, Virat Kohli not playing Johannesburg test, KL Rahul leads India: Follow LIVE Updates

IND vs SA LIVE Score: Follow Day 1 LIVE Updates

Hanuma Vihari, who was phenomenal for India A with back to back fifties against South Africa A last month, replaces Virat Kohli in India playing XI.
KL Rahul confirmed that Virat Kohli will be available for the third and final Test scheduled to take place at Newlands, Cape Town starting January 11.
The development means India loses a winning captain at Wanderers. Kohli had guided India to 63 runs victory at Johannesburg against Proteas in 2018, a place where India have never lost a Test in all 5 outings (3 draws).
Virat Kohli & Rahul Dravid would have been just the perfect combo who won in Wanderers.
The duo could have been more ruthless in defining the course of the Test match and series at large as India set their eyes on conquering the final frontier South Africa.
The 33-year-old also has scored 310 runs in a couple of Tests which includes a century which India is likely to miss in the Test.

IND vs SA 2nd Test: SHOCKER, Virat Kohli not playing Johannesburg test, KL Rahul leads India: Follow LIVE Updates

Virat Kohli will play his 100th Test at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru against Sri Lanka starting February 25.

In Kohli’s absence, there will be added pressure on Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Head coach Rahul Dravid has backed the middle-order to fire in the remaining Tests. Hopefully, Hanuma Vihari’s purple patch would come in handy.

With KL Rahul elevated as captain, Jasprit Bumrah is India’s Vice Captain in this Test match.

India (Playing XI): KL Rahul(c), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

“Unfortunately, Virat has had an upper back spasm and hopefully, he’ll recover for the next Test. Hanuma Vihari comes in place of Virat. Just the one change,” KL Rahul said at the toss as India won the toss and opted to bat.

“It is every Indian player’s dream to captain his country. Really honoured and looking forward to this challenge. We have had a few good wins here and hopefully, we’ll look to continue that. Hanuma Vihari comes in place of Virat. Just the one change. It was a good Test at Centurion overall. We really performed well as a team and are really excited about this match,” he stated further.

On the other hand, Proteas skipper Dean Elgar said, (On Kohli missing out) “It doesn’t really bother me, we have got a Test match to play.”

“Regardless of current form Virat Kohli not playing is a huge boost for South Africa not just as a player but the aggressive leader!” Irfan Pathan wrote on Twitter.

Regardless of current form Virat Kohli not playing is a huge boost for South Africa not just as a player but the aggressive leader!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2022

KL Rahul is the first Indian captain since Mohammad Azharuddin in 1990 to lead the team in Test cricket leading in the limited-overs matches.

Dale Steyn wrote: “KL looks so good in that blazer and cap. Good luck bud! Congratulations”

KL looks so good in that blazer and cap.
Good luck bud! Congratulations

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 3, 2022

IND vs SA 2nd Test: SHOCKER, Virat Kohli not playing Johannesburg Test, KL Rahul leads India: Follow LIVE Updates

South Africa Playing XI: Dean Elgar(c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne(w), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi

For more sports news and India vs South Africa LIVE updates, follow us at InsideSport.IN

Cricket