KL Rahul named Virat Kohli's deputy for South Africa Tests

Ahead of the three-match Test series against South Africa, team India was dealt with a massive blow as Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. Sharma was set to become Virat Kohli's deputy in Tests. However, the injury left the spot vacant.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India has now confirmed that KL Rahul will take over as India's vice-captain for the South Africa Tests. Notably, Ajinkya Rahane was the Indian vice-captain before the South Africa tour but his extended lean patch has put doubts about his place in the team.

“Yes, with Rohit missing, KL Rahul would be the vice-captain,” the source said. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday confirmed that Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the three-match Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring issue.

“Team India Test vice-captain Rohit Sharma sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday,” the BCCI stated in an official release. “He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa. Priyank Panchal will replace Rohit Sharma in the Test squad,” it added.

The Test series gets underway in Centurion on December 26 before the caravan moves to Johannesburg for the second Test from January 11. The third and final Test will be played in Cape Town from January 11. The following ODI series will commence on January 19 in Paarl, followed by the second T20I on January 21 and third T20I in Cape Town on January 23.