SA vs IND: Here’s Why Virat Kohli Isn’t Playing Johannesburg Test?

Virat Kohli, the Test captain of team India isn’t playing the second Test against South Africa. The news came minutes before the toss. KL Rahul is leading the team at Johannesburg in the second Test on Monday.

This is going to be a big blow for the side after a win at Centurion. India won the toss and Rahul opted to bat and that was on the cards.

Why Virat Kohli Isn’t Playing Second Test?

Speaking after winning the toss, India’s stand-in skipper Rahul revealed that Hanuma Vihari has replaced Kohli in the playing XI for the 2nd Test match.

Rahul also confirmed India’s regular Test skipper Kohli is ruled out of the 2nd Test due to upper back spasm.

“Unfortunately Virat has had an upper back spasm and hopefully he’ll recover for the next Test. It is every Indian player’s dream to captain his country. Really honoured and looking forward to this challenge. We have had a few good wins here and hopefully, we’ll look to continue that. Hanuma Vihari comes in place of Virat. Just the one change. It was a good Test at Centurion overall. We really performed well as a team and are really excited about this match,” Rahul said at the coin toss. 

India (Playing XI): KL Rahul(c), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj