Johannesburg, Jan 3: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday was ruled out of the second Test against South Africa just before the start of the game.
Stand-in captain KL Rahul walked in for toss, saying that Kohli misses out due to an upper back spasm. The top-order batter added that the regular skipper is expected to return for the third Test in Cape Town.
“Unfortunately Virat has had an upper back spasm, the physios are working on him and hopefully he’ll recover for the next Test,” said Rahul at the toss.
In a statement, BCCI stated that the medical team will monitor Kohli during the course of the match.
“Team India captain Virat Kohli had a spasm on his upper back this morning. He won’t feature in the second Test against South Africa at The Wanderers,” said BCCI.
“The BCCI medical team will be monitoring him during the course of this Test match. KL Rahul will captain the side in his absence.”
Hanuma Vihari came in the playing XI to replace Kohli, which means that Kohli will not be able to record his 100th Test in South Africa.
The Indian cricketing board further added that “Shreyas Iyer was also ruled out of selection for the 2nd Test owing to a stomach bug.”
Jasprit Bumrah, who has been named vice-captain for the ODI series against South Africa, has been appointed as Rahul’s deputy for the second Test.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain for the 2nd Test,” added BCCI.
Earlier, head coach Rahul Dravid had rubbished the rumors that Kohli is skipping press conferences amid the outside noise surrounding him, selectors and the BCCI over his removal from ODI captaincy.
“I was told Virat is just being held back from press conferences for now because he has his 100th Test coming up in Cape Town,” said Dravid in a virtual press conference.
“If he addresses the press then, it can be a big event. The reporters can ask him questions about his 100th Test then. You can celebrate him then. As far as I know, there is no other reason he is not here.
“It’s not like he has not been speaking. He is very involved in the game, and in between the games… he has interviews during the Test, toss and all that. He will speak to the media before his 100th Test,” Dravid added.
