Bad news for South Africa as Kagiso Rabada's participation in 2nd Test vs India hangs in balance with worrisome injury update

South Africa's pace attack suffered a massive blow just before the series opener at Eden Gardens, as star bowler Kagiso Rabada was ruled out due to a rib injury. Rabada sustained the injury during the team's training session, and despite undergoing several medical checks and assessments leading up to the match, he was ultimately not cleared to play in the first Test.

Kagiso Rabada to miss 2nd Test against India too?

As a result of this last-minute withdrawal, the South African team management is anxiously awaiting updates on his condition. His participation in the upcoming second Test now hangs in the balance, with the team officially confirming that Rabada is undergoing further assessments to determine the full extent of the injury and his availability for the rest of the series.

"So KG (Kagiso Rabada) sustained the injury during the first training session on Tuesday, then he underwent a scan on Wednesday morning, and then underwent a fitness test this morning and was experiencing discomfort and then was ultimately ruled out of the game," the team media manager PTI.

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Proteas delayed their calls on Kagiso Rabada's inclusion until the last possible moment, holding out hope until Friday morning before officially ruling him out of the first Test. This last-minute change forced a reshuffle in the playing XI, bringing in Corbin Bosch for his fourth Test to join Marco Jansen and seam-bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder in the pace attack. When asked about Rabada's chances for the second Test, which begins on November 22 in Guwahati, the team manager simply stated, "He's still undergoing further assessments with the medical team."

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Jasprit Bumrah's 5-fer annihilates South Africa

On the field at Eden Gardens, South Africa were bundled out for just 159 on Day 1 after captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat. The innings began well, with openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton putting together a solid 57-run partnership for the first wicket off 63 balls. However, a sensational bowling spell from Jasprit Bumrah completely dismantled their batting order. Bumrah picked up his 16th career five-wicket haul, registering dominant figures of 5/27 in 14 overs to bring India firmly into ascendancy.

In reply, India finished Day 1 on 37/1, trailing South Africa by 122 runs in the first innings. At the close of play, KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) were at the crease. The only batsman dismissed was Yashasvi Jaiswal (12), who was bowled after chopping a delivery from Marco Jansen back onto his stumps.