IND vs SA: Ruturaj Gaikwad to replace Abhimanyu Easwaran in Test squad, Rinku Singh to stay in South Africa

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IND vs SA: Ruturaj Gaikwad has been officially ruled out of the 2-Test series against South Africa due to a finger injury he sustained during the second ODI against South Africa. The Maharashtra batter has been replaced by Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran.

Gaikwad missed the series-deciding third ODI on Thursday due to the same reason and will not report at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. His replacement Easwaran has scored 6567 runs in 88 first-class matches at an average of 47.24.

The 28-year-old, who captained East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2023, has hit 22 hundreds in the red-ball format. However, Easwaran will only be available for the second Test as he is currently leading the India A side.

“Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. He underwent scans, and following an expert consultation, the BCCI Medical Team has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour,” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah in a statement.

“He will be reporting to the NCA for further management of his injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement,” the statement added.

Further, Rinku Singh, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh - part of India squad for the just-concluded ODI series against South Africa - have been added in the India A squad for the second and last unofficial Test starting December 26 - the day when the senior teams lock horns for the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.

The release from the BCCI also informed that pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the second four-day unofficial Test. Kuldeep Yadav has also been released from the India A squad.

"Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the four-day match against South Africa A starting on 26th December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni owing to a hamstring injury. The Selection Committee has added Mr Rajat Patidar, Mr Sarfaraz Khan, Mr Avesh Khan and Mr Rinku Singh to India A’s squad while Mr Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad," the statement said.

India A’s updated squad for four-day match against South Africa A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, Akash Deep, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Manav Suthar, Rinku Singh