South Africa face uncertainty over Kagiso Rabada’s participation in the upcoming second Test against India after he pulled out of the series opener at the Eden Gardens with a rib injury. The team management confirmed on Friday that their leading fast bowler is still “undergoing further evaluation”, leaving his status for the Guwahati Test in doubt.
Rabada suffered the injury during South Africa’s first training session on Tuesday, followed by a series of medicals, including a scan on Wednesday and the morning of the match. “So KG (Kagiso Rabada) got injured during the first practice session on Tuesday, then he underwent a check-up on Wednesday morning and he underwent a fitness test this morning and felt discomfort and was eventually ruled out of the game,” the team’s media manager told PTI.
South Africa delayed their decision on Rabado’s inclusion until the last possible moment, keeping hopes alive until Friday morning before officially ruling him out. The last-minute change forced a reshuffle of the playing XI as Corbin Bosch was selected to play his fourth Test, joining Marc Jansen and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder in the pace attack.
Asked what Rabada’s chances are for the second Test, which starts on November 22 in Guwahati, the manager said: “He is still undergoing further evaluation with the medical team.”
Meanwhile, South Africa were bundled out for just 159 on Day 1 of the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat, openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton got the team off to a good start, adding 57 runs for the first wicket from 63 balls.
However, a sensational spell from Jasprit Bumrah saw South Africa surrender. He picked up his 16th five-wicket haulregistering figures of 5/27 in 14 overs to put India in the lead.
Later, India ended Day 1 37/1 behind South Africa by 122 runs in the first innings with KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) at the crease. Yashasvi Jaiswal (12) was the only player dismissed from India as he chopped one back onto his stumps against Marc Jansen.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
November 14, 2025
