Virat Kohli returns home; Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of India's test squad - Reports

Virat Kohli last played for India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in November, 2023.

According to the media reports, Indian batting star Virat Kohli has returned home from South Africa due to a family emergency. Along with Virat Kohli, opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad also has been ruled out of the test series due to a finger injury. Gaikwad has not recovered from the injury he suffered in the second ODI against South Africa. Indian team management has decided to release him from the squad. Gaikwad played only two ODI games against the Proteas and missed the final game at Boland Park in Paarl. 

More information is awaited on Virat Kohli, who has headed back home to Mumbai due to a family emergency. The reason is still unclear, but according to reports from Cricbuzz, Virat Kohli will be come back and join the Indian camp in Johannesburg before the first test begins at Supersport Park in Centurion. The first test will begin on Boxing Day, 26th December. Virat has not played any cricket after the World Cup final loss against Australia. 

It is reported that Virat Kohli left the Indian camp three days ago after getting permission from Indian team management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Kohli was expected to return on Friday, 22nd December. Currently Indian team is involved in Inter-squad games as preparation for the South Africa test series and Kohli had to miss the Inter-squad game due to him travelling back home to Mumbai. 

The BCCI informed before the final ODI at Boland Park in Paarl that Ruturaj Gaikwad is still under the supervision of the BCCI’s medical team. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah have done brilliantly in the Inter-squad game ahead of the first test in Centurion. Mohammed Shami is already ruled out of the upcoming two-match test series against South Africa due to an ankle injury and his replacement is yet to be announced. 

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