SA vs IND 2nd Test: Why is Virat Kohli Not Playing Today?

Virat Kohli Not Playing SA vs IND 2021: In a big breaking news, Indian captain Virat Kohli is not playing the second Test match against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg starting from 3 January. Team India are already leading the three-match Test series by 1-0 margin due to their staggering performance in the first Test match where the visitors registered a convincing 113-run victory. Incidentally, India is yet to lose a Test match against South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Why is Virat Kohli Not Playing Today?

It is a massive blow for the Indian team as Virat Kohli is not available for the second Test match against South Africa due to upper back spasm. In his absence, KL Rahul has been appointed as the stand-in captain while Jasprit Bumrah will be the vice-captain. While talking about the India playing 11, right-handed batter Hanuma Vihari will replace Virat Kohli. India have won the toss and opted to bat first in this second Test match.

Toss Update – KL Rahul has won the toss and elects to bat first in the 2nd Test.

Captain Virat Kohli misses out with an upper back spasm.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/2YarVIea4H

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022

Related: India Win First Ever Centurion Test – Cricket Twitter Reacts

“Unfortunately Virat has had an upper back spasm, the physios are working on him and hopefully he’ll recover for the next Test. It is every Indian player’s dream to captain his country. Really honoured and looking forward to this challenge. We have had a few good wins here and hopefully we’ll look to continue that. Hanuma Vihari comes in place of Virat. Just the one change. It was a good Test at Centurion overall. We really performed well as a team and are really excited about this match,” said stand-in captain KL Rahul during the toss.

India Playing 11 (Confirmed)
KL Rahul
Mayank Agarwal
Cheteshwar Pujara
Ajinkya Rahane
Hanuma Vihari
Rishabh Pant
Ravichandran Ashwin
Shardul Thakur
Mohammed Shami
Jasprit Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj

Related: India vs South Africa 2021 Schedule

SA vs IND 2nd Test Live

The host South African team have also made two changes to their playing 11 from the last game in Centurion. Quinton de Kock announced a sudden retirement from Test cricket recently and thus, Kyle Verreynne is the wicket-keeper batter while right-arm speedster Duanne Olivier has come in for Wiaan Mulder.

SA Playing 11 (Confirmed)
Dean Elgar
Aiden Markram
Keegan Petersen
Rassie van der Dussen
Temba Bavuma
Kyle Verreynne
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Kagiso Rabada
Duanne Olivier
Lungi Ngidi