Virat Kohli flies home due to family emergency, Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out from Test series: Report

• Image Credit: Google

• Dec 22, 2023 | Guriya Khatun

The BCCI sources say that Kohli will be back and will be available for the first game in Centurion.

Digital Desk: Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli returned home due to a family issue. The two-match Test series between India and South Africa starts on December 26. The star batter is named in the team. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the season' star opener, has reportedly been ruled out.

A report on Cricbuzz states that Kohli left for Mumbai almost three days ago, having received permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian team management to miss India's three-day intra-squad game in Pretoria. 

It further said that the details of the situation remain unclear. On Friday, December 22, Kohli is anticipated to return to South Africa. According to BCCI sources, Kohli will return and be ready for the first game in Centurion.

The second Indian to miss a Test series is Gaikwad.

Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad has reportedly been ruled out owing to a finger injury, giving India yet another setback after Mohammed Shami. During the second ODI of the just finished three-match series, Gaikwad sustained an injury. Rajat Patidar was chosen to start in the Playing XI instead of him for the series finale. Prior to the third ODI match, Gaikwad's fitness has been reported by the Indian board. "He was hit in the ring finger during the second ODI, and he hasn't completely healed from it. He is still being watched by the BCCI Medical Team. "

Shami was previously ruled out from the red-ball matches as the medical staff had not cleared him. Prior to the ODI World Cup 2023, it was known that Shami was recovering from an ankle injury. 

India played in a three-day intra-squad competition recently. A number of players displayed their genius. Players that had a strong performance in the game were Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur. The first Test match of India's Test series will take place in Centurion starting on December 26 while the final match will take place in Cape Town starting on January 3.