South Africa star speedster Anrich Nortje who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹6.5 crore in the mega auction for Indian Premier League 2025 will most likely to miss a few matches of the upcoming edition of the tournament. Nortje who missed the first T20I between South Africa and Pakistan has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I and ODI series against Men in Green citing a left toe injury.
The star speedster got a contusion on his left big toe during training ahead of the first T20I and missed the opener clash. Several scans on December 12 revealed a fracture, which led to him being ruled out of the series. Nortje will now consult with a specialist orthopaedic surgeon to determine the duration of his recovery. However, the speedster will most likely to get fit before the upcoming edition of the IPL set to start from March 14.
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Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced Dayyaan Galiem as the replacement of Nortje for the remainder of the series. The all-rounder will join Heinrich Klaasen-led side for the remaining two T20Is scheduled to be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday, 13 December, and the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 14, Saturday.
After finishing the three-match T20I series, Both teams will lock horns against each other for the three-match ODI series scheduled to start from December 17. The upcoming ODI series is important for both teams to get trained before the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Nortje is fourth in the list of injured South Africa's bowlers. Gerald Coetzee is sidelined with a groin injury, Nandre Burger has a lower back stress fracture, Lungi Ngidi is nursing a hip injury, and Wiaan Mulder, who was injured during the first Test against Sri Lanka, is recovering from a broken finger.
