In the Wonders Test, the Indian team went on the field without Virat Kohli. The 33-year-old is suffering from back pain and KL Rahul is playing the role of captain in this match. On the other hand, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been given the vice-captain. Virat Kohli has had back pain before and he has taken a break for it.
Hanuma Vihari was included in the playing XI in place of Virat Kohli. This was the only change that came to the fore in the team that won the Centurion. Kohli, however, is known for his fitness. But his bat has been quiet for quite some time. For the last two years, he has not been able to score any century in international cricket. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, however, was quite surprised to see Kohli not being there in the playing XI.
Sanjay Manjrekar said that he was quite surprised when he saw KL Rahul going for the toss. He said that he was very surprised to see Rahul as Kohli never misses a Test match. He also emphasized that this Test match is very important. As the Indian team is close to winning the series in South Africa for the first time.
Manjrekar said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, ‘I was shocked when I came to know that KL Rahul is going for the toss. Various thoughts started coming to my mind. But who can think about Virat Kohli’s injury as he is one of those players who never miss a Test match. And also keeping in mind that India is close to creating history in South Africa. This is very unfortunate indeed. His injury would be really serious. And at the same time, despite his form, it is a setback for the team’s batting.
The Indian team was bundled out for just 202 runs in their first innings in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa. For India, stand-in captain KL Rahul scored the highest 50 and Ravichandran Ashwin scored 46 runs. For South Africa, Marco Jansson made 4 and Kagiso Rabada and Duane Oliver sent three Indian batsmen to the pavilion.
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