Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been included in the South Africa national cricket team’s Test squad for the India series as cover.
Due to the injury to Kagiso Rabada, Cricket South Africa (CSA) decided to include Lungi Ngidi in the Test squad for the ongoing Test series against the Indian national cricket team.
Lungi Ngidi will join the South African team
Before the start of the opening match of the Test series against India, the Proteas team suffered a major blow when fast bowler Kagiso Rabada got injured.
During a South African training session, Kagiso Rabada suffered a rib injury, and then had to undergo several medical tests and evaluations before the match, before ultimately being ruled out of the Eden Gardens Test.
However, the Proteas didn’t miss them too much and cruised to a convincing 30-run win over India after a reversal of the home team’s pitching strategy.
Kagiso Rabada is doubtful to play in the second Test, which starts from November 22 in Guwahati. If he is ruled out again, CSA has already prepared a backup plan.
They have included Lungi Ngidi in the Test squad for the second match as cover for Kagiso Rabada, and he has already joined the team in Kolkata.
Proteas face several injury problems
Kagiso Rabada is not the only player from the visiting team who is struggling with fitness problems. Experienced spinner Simon Harmer suffered a shoulder injury during the first Test.
Not only him, left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen is also suffering from the problem, for which he visited the hospital along with Simon Harmer and is awaiting clarity on his participation in the next Test match.
Speaking after the win over India, Simon Harmer had said that he celebrated the win by drinking two beers at his team hotel.
“We’re in a nice hotel. Maybe some golf tomorrow. We had a few beers last night. I think it’s important to celebrate wins, especially here in India, because you don’t know when they’ll come again. The senior group here appreciates winning Test match cricket. It’s a quick turnaround so it’s good to have a few extra days off,” he said on ‘talkSportCricket’.
“We need to make sure we get back to the drawing board because the Indians have some fire in their belly and they want to change the result of the first Test.”
I think India has never played Test cricket in Guwahati – Simon Harmer
Harmer further said that like India, they too are unaware of how the conditions will be in the second Test match in Guwahati.
“I think India have never played Test cricket in Guwahati, so I’m sure they’re not sure how it’s going to be.
He said, “I think they feel that with him being the best Test bowler in the world and not having an impact on the third day, they will want to involve him more in the game, so will that suit the seamer? You never know what you are going to get. They obviously want to win, so they will make sure that the wicket suits whatever team they want to select.”
Also read: Sanju Samson did not get the opening place in CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad will open….
