Xtra Time Web Desk: Proteas pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is doubtful for the upcoming test series against India which will start from December 26 in Centurion. According to a report in Cricbuzz, the fast bowler is racing against the time to get fully fit. Another Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje is already ruled out of the test series. Lungi Ngidi is also nursing an injury and had to miss the white ball series against India.
Rabada, initially expected to participate in a first-class match for the Lions against the Dolphins at Kingsmead, was ruled out due to a bruised heel sustained during the World Cup semifinal against Australia on November 16. Since then, he has not seen any action, and South Africa’s team management mentioned that Rabada “will undergo further assessments” without specifying the duration of his potential absence.
Anrich Nortje’s unavailability adds to South Africa’s fast-bowling conundrum, grappling with a lumbar stress fracture that has kept him sidelined since September 10. Ngidi, on the other hand, suffered a sprained ankle, ruling him out of the T20I series against India and the current round of first-class matches. His availability for the impending Test series remains uncertain.
As the Test series looms, starting in Centurion on December 26, South Africa may find themselves relying on an altered pace attack. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, slated to play for their provinces this week, could lead the bowling lineup, supported by Wiaan Mulder and the uncapped Nandre Burger, both included in the squad. The reshuffling underscores the challenges faced by South Africa in assembling a formidable pace attack against India.