By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second test against India in Guwahati on Saturday, after not fully recovering from the rib bone stress injury.
The Proteas will be aiming to wrap up their first Test series win in India in 25 years.
“The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour,” Proteas team management said in a statement.
“He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation programme with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test.”
It is unclear when Rabada would be ready to return to action, but his absence is significant as the T20 series against India next month is the team’s last campaign in the short format ahead of the T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka early next year.
A replacement for Rabada on the tour of India had not yet been announced. Meanwhile India announced on Friday that they will be without captain Shubman Gill for the second test.