South Africa have suffered a major blow ahead of India’s second Test in Guwahati as Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of Saturday’s match due to rib bone stress injury.
He was also not part of the South Africa team in the opening Test in Kolkata and was hoping to recover, but has not achieved match fitness yet.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the news on Friday morning, saying that Kagiso Rabada will be sidelined due to injury.
“The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour,” the board said in a statement on Friday.
“He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test.”
The injury has also ruled Rabada out of the white-ball series in India, which will start after the Tests.
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According to ESPNcricinfo, Rabada has not bowled in the training sessions since sustaining the injury last Tuesday in Kolkata during practice and did not take part in training on Wednesday in Guwahati.
Simon Harmer led South Africa’s bowling attack in the first Test, who claimed an eight-wicket match haul, supported by Keshav Maharaj as the second spinner.
Marco Jansen was the spare head in the fast-bowling department, with Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch second and third choice.
Lungi Ngidi remains the other frontline fast bowler who could be included in the playing XI.