Shardul Thakur, the only pace-bowling all-rounder in the Indian team, was hit on the left shoulder during a net session at Centurion on Saturday. Early reports paint a worrisome picture; and of course, exasperated by India's painful innings defeat in the Boxing Day Test at the same venue a few days ago. (Full Coverage | Cricket News)
It was earlier reported that Thakur might go for scans to ascertain the damage, if there were any. Now, it's widely reported that the team's medical staff has not recommended any treatment, and the all-rounder did not undergo any scans either.
Newlands Beckon
The Newlands pitch, however, is known for assisting spinners. Many of South Africa's leading spinners have emerged from the vicinity surrounding the venue, and represented Western Province Cricket, who play their home games in this picturesque ground.
The last time India played here, they lost the match by seven wickets after two below-par batting performances -- 223 and 198 all outs in both innings. Thakur was part of the playing XI, which also featured a lone specialist spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin.
India's Test record at the venue also presents a dismal reading. They haven't won once in six attempts, only settling for a couple of draws.
India's Likely XI
The visitors are likely to make at least a couple of changes from the XI that surrendered the first Test inside three days in Centurion. Ravindra Jadeja, who picked up a back spasm on the morning of the match, has started training, and is believed to be in contention for a starting berth. In that case, Ashwin might become the victim, in a like-for-for replacement with Thakur still preserving his spot thanks to his second skill, batting.
Prasidh Krishna was inducted into Test cricket with much fanfare following his exploits in the A-game, where he claimed a five-wicket haul. But the pacer failed to make a smooth transition to the higher echelons of cricket. And he could make way for fast-rising Mukesh Kumar, even though Avesh Khan was added to to the squad.
India's Potential XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj.
The two-match series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. India are the two-time finalists, losing to New Zealand and Australia in the previous finals, while South Africa were third in the 2021-23 cycle.
The Cape Town Test will serve as a farewell match for Dean Elgar, who shattered multiple records to help Proteas keep their home record against India intact. And he will get a chance to bow out in style. He will lead the team in the absence of regular captain Temba Bavuma, who pulled a hamstring during the Boxing Day Test.
Now, all eyes will be on the traditional New Year's Test.
By the way, the Indian cricketers were scheduled to fly out of Centurion Sunday morning, local time.
