IND vs SA Test: Quinton de Kock takes paternity leave – South Africa have been dealt a big blow ahead of their highly-anticipated three-match Test series against Virat Kohli’s India. Star wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock has been ruled out from the second and third Tests as he has opted out. He will be on paternity leave and will return for the ODI series. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
As InsideSport reported earlier that Quinton de Kock could be out of 2nd and 3rd Test, as per Daily Maverick, he has opted out as he is expecting the birth of his first child. Kyle Verreynne will fill in the void while Ryan Rickleton has been added to the squad.
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IND vs SA Test: South Africa dealt major blow as Quinton de Kock ruled out of 2nd and 3rd Test against India
South Africa’s selection convener Victor Mpitsang told ESPNcricinfo that he expects the left-hander “to miss the last Test”. But he has now confirmed to the CSA that he will be unavailable for the last two Tests. It will leave the Proteas without their wicketkeeper and solid lower-middle-order batsmen. Kyle Verreynne is expected to play in his place.
Western Province’s Verreynne made his Test debut during South Africa’s tour of West Indies in June in the absence of vice-captain Temba Bavuma, who was injured. The 24-year-old scored 39 runs in three innings. Verreynne has since played three first-class matches for and scored one half-century.
IND vs SA Test: South Africa dealt major blow as Quinton de Kock ruled out of 2nd and 3rd Test against India
On the other hand, Rickelton, who is uncapped, has had a better recent run. He is the tenth highest run-scorer in the first-class batting charts this season, and has scored two centuries in his last three games, also leading the Lions to the top of the points table.
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The much-awaited series is set to kick start from December 26 in Centurion. Team India players reached Johannesburg on December 16 and will undergo a day of quarantine. After three negative Covid-19 tests, they will head to Centurion.
For Virat Kohli & Co, it will be a golden opportunity to win their maiden Test series in South Africa. Without no warm-up matches, India will have to depend on match simulations and intra-squad matches to prepare for South Africa challenge.
“As much as centre-wicket practice as possible, match simulation. Those kinds of things really help when you play in conditions that are in my opinion the most challenging, because of the pace and bounce on offer,” Virat Kohli said at the pre-departure press conference.
IND vs SA Test: South Africa dealt major blow as Quinton de Kock ruled out of 2nd and 3rd Test against India
South Africa Squad Test squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Kagiso Rabada, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Prenelan Subrayen, Sisanda Magala, Ryan Rickelton, Duanne Olivier
India’s Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj.
Standby Players: Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Arzan Nagwaswalla.
IND vs SA Test: South Africa dealt major blow as Quinton de Kock ruled out of 2nd and 3rd Test against India
