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Virat Kohli absent from the 2nd Test between India and South Africa due to back spasm
Virat Kohli absent from the 2nd Test between India and South Africa due to back spasm
January 4, 2022 Authorbet365baji
India's captain, Virat Kohli, has been
ruled out of the 2nd Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Kohli was suffering from a "back spasm," according to KL Rahul, the tour's vice-captain, who stepped out for the toss wearing India's blue blazer for the first time. The team's physiotherapists are working with the 33-year-old, and Rahul expects him to return for the third Test, which begins on January 11.
Kohli has previously spoken about his back problems, but this is the first time it has kept him out of a Test match in recent memory. Kohli has a stellar record at the Wanderers Stadium, which is a significant setback for the visitors. He has 310 runs and a 77.50 batting average in four innings here, including a hundred and two fifties.
Kohli was replaced in the playing 11 for the second Test by Hanuma Vihari, who had been on the verge of being called up. Vihari last represented India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21, when he battled through a strained hamstring to salvage the Sydney Test with a brave effort.
He was left out of India's most recent series against New Zealand and sent on an India 'A' tour of South Africa 'A', where he finished with 227 runs at 75.66. Vihari's selection over Shreyas Iyer, who shone in his first game against New Zealand, may raise some questions.
But it appears to be a tactical move, given Vihari's experience in bouncy and fast conditions and his part-time off-spin, which could be helpful on the final two days. For India, this is the only change. After winning the toss, Rahul chose to bat first.
Kohli was suffering from a "back spasm," according to KL Rahul, the tour's vice-captain, who stepped out for the toss wearing India's blue blazer for the first time. The team's physiotherapists are working with the 33-year-old, and Rahul expects him to return for the third Test, which begins on January 11.
Kohli has previously spoken about his back problems, but this is the first time it has kept him out of a Test match in recent memory. Kohli has a stellar record at the Wanderers Stadium, which is a significant setback for the visitors. He has 310 runs and a 77.50 batting average in four innings here, including a hundred and two fifties.
Kohli was replaced in the playing 11 for the second Test by Hanuma Vihari, who had been on the verge of being called up. Vihari last represented India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21, when he battled through a strained hamstring to salvage the Sydney Test with a brave effort.
He was left out of India's most recent series against New Zealand and sent on an India 'A' tour of South Africa 'A', where he finished with 227 runs at 75.66. Vihari's selection over Shreyas Iyer, who shone in his first game against New Zealand, may raise some questions.
But it appears to be a tactical move, given Vihari's experience in bouncy and fast conditions and his part-time off-spin, which could be helpful on the final two days. For India, this is the only change. After winning the toss, Rahul chose to bat first.