Virat Kohli’s brief trip back to India for personal reasons has thrown a slight curveball at India’s preparations for the Boxing Day Test in South Africa, but the star batsman is expected to rejoin the squad soon. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s finger injury has ruled him out of the series, opening the door for Abhimanyu Easwaran to join the Test squad as a reserve opener.
With Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal likely to retain their top-order partnership, Abhimanyu’s impressive performance in the practice game puts him in prime position for a potential debut. He’ll get another chance to impress in the shadow tour before potentially joining the senior squad for the New Year’s Test in Cape Town.
Gaikwad’s absence creates a void in the opening slot, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up. Rajat Patidar, who made a successful debut in the final ODI, could be considered for a Test call-up.
The rest of the Test squad has been diligently preparing under Rahul Dravid’s guidance, with KL Rahul and Mukesh Kumar expected to join them soon after concluding their ODI commitments. Shreyas Iyer, who last played Test cricket in February, will also be reintegrating into the red-ball fold after focusing on ODIs since his return from injury.
This series marks India’s second challenge in the new WTC cycle, and they’ll be eager to build on their initial win in the Caribbean. With Kohli’s return imminent and other players vying for opportunities, the Boxing Day Test promises to be a thrilling clash between two cricketing giants.
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