South Africa name new Test captain for 2nd Zimbabwe encounter as Keshav Maharaj ruled out due to groin strain

Zimbabwe vs South Africa 2nd Test: Wiaan Mulder will lead the Proteas in the second Test as Keshav Maharaj will head home after suffering a left groin strain.

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Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Ryan Rickelton

Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Ryan Rickelton of South Africa sit on the advertising board ahead of play during day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.

Story Highlights:

Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of 2nd Test against Zimbabwe.

Senuran Muthuswamy has been named Maharaj's replacement.

Lungi Ngidi has been released from the Test squad.

South Africa's stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a left groin strain he sustained while batting in the series opener. Fast-bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder will lead the Proteas in the second Test in Bulawayo scheduled to start on July 6. 

"He will return home for further assessment to determine the extent of the injury," Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement.

 

 

In Maharaj's absence, Senuran Muthuswamy will play the second. Muthuswamy will have big shoes to fill as Maharaj took eight wickets in the series opener, including a fifer in Zimbabwe's failed run chase. Maharaj also scored a half-century.

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Muthuswamy's Test record

Muthuswamy is a left-arm spinner as well. He has played four Tests and bagged seven wickets at an average of 35, including a four-wicket haul. With the bat, he averages 43.25 with 173 runs from seven innings, including an unbeaten half-century. His last Test appearance was in October 2024 against Bangladesh.

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Promoted to no.3, now named stand-in Test skipper

Mulder will become South Africa's 42nd Test captain. Promoted to bat at no.3 in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, Mulder scored 147 against Zimbabwe in South Africa's second innings. His knock helped South Africa beat hosts by a huge margin of 328 runs.

Ngidi released from squad

Pacer Lungi Ngidi was expected to join the squad on July 2. However, he has been released from the squad. The team management is impressed with the pacers' performance in the first Test and wants to give them another opportunity to perform. 

Debutant Codi Yusuf took three wickets each in both innings. Kwena Maphaka remained wicketless whereas Mulder picked up a four-fer in first innings and Bosch registered a five-wicket haul in the second.

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