Why did Kagiso Rabada ruled out Kolkata Test?

SA Win Toss, Elect to Bat at Eden Gardens

South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening Test against India at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Captain Temba Bavuma said the visitors wanted to make use of the conditions and continue their momentum heading into the series. So let’s know detailly Why Kagiso Rabada ruled out Kolkata Test?

The biggest pre-match development was the absence of premier pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has been ruled out due to a rib injury. India, meanwhile, made a strategic move by bringing Axar Patel into the XI in place of B Sai Sudharsan, highlighting their spin-heavy approach for the Kolkata surface.

IND vs SA 1st Test: Playing XIs

South Africa Playing XI

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj

India Playing XI

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Captains’ Views After Toss

Temba Bavuma: “We Want to Capitalise on Conditions”

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma expressed confidence in his team’s ability to build on their winning momentum.

“We are going to bat… We need to carry the momentum we have from Pakistan. Unfortunately, Kagiso Rabada misses out,” Bavuma said.
“We’ve prepared well and want to exploit the conditions with our batting strength.”

Bavuma confirmed Markram and Rickelton as openers, with Mulder, Bavuma, Verreynne, De Zorzi and Stubbs forming a deep batting lineup.

Shubman Gill: “Surface Should Aid Pacers Early, Turn Later”

India’s captain Shubman Gill highlighted the importance of starting well and backed the spin trio of Axar, Jadeja and Kuldeep.

“Looks like a good surface. There’s a bit early on for pacers, and hopefully, we can extract that,” Gill said.
“This Test bunch is very hungry. Rishabh comes back in place of Reddy. Axar is also back in the side.”

Gill added that the pitch is expected to hold well for the first two days before offering turn later in the match.

Key Absences & Team Combinations

Along with Rabada and Sudharsan, South Africa also left out Dewald Brevis to ensure better balance. The Proteas opted for strong batting depth with all-rounders Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch all included.

India went with a two-pacer, three-spinner combination, banking heavily on turn and accuracy from Axar, Jadeja and Kuldeep to trouble South Africa on a traditionally spin-friendly Kolkata surface.

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