Virat Kohli comes back India for a family emergency, Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of Test series.

In an unexpected twist, the Indian cricket team faces challenges ahead of the imminent two-Test series against South Africa. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence, attributed to a lingering finger injury sustained during the second ODI against the hosts on December 19, and Virat Kohli’s sudden departure for a family emergency have disrupted the team’s preparations.

Sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirm Gaikwad’s exclusion from the Test series, citing his incomplete recovery from the finger injury. Meanwhile, Kohli, the former Indian captain, abruptly left South Africa but is expected to rejoin the squad in Johannesburg in time for the first Test on December 26, following a brief return to Mumbai. The nature of the family emergency remains undisclosed.

Despite these setbacks, the ongoing three-day intra-squad game in Pretoria has provided a platform for other players to showcase their skills. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran seized their opportunities, while Captain Rohit Sharma, along with pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur, exhibited impressive form.