South Africa without Gerald Coetzee for second India Test

The fast bowler is suffering from a pelvic inflammation and will miss the second Test, which comes on the back of a comprehensive win for the Proteas at Centurion

Nick Friend | 30/12/2023 at 11:28

South Africa will be without Gerald Coetzee, as well as Temba Bavuma, for their second Test against India at Newlands.

Bavuma had already been ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Zubayr Hamza called up to the squad as a replacement, but Coetzee's absence is a further blow.

The fast bowler is suffering from a pelvic inflammation and will miss the second Test, which comes on the back of a comprehensive win for the Proteas at Centurion.

Coetzee was the most expensive of South Africa's four-pronged seam attack, for whom Kagiso Rabada was the star. Dean Elgar, who made 185 and was named player of the match, is set to feature in his final Test before his international retirement.

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^{Coetzee is out of the second Test (Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images)}

South Africa head coach Conrad Shukri assured that the decision around Coetzee was only precautionary, with the SA20 beginning in under a fortnight's time.

He only bowled five overs in India's second innings before leaving the field.

His absence will be offset by the return to fitness of Lungi Ngidi, while Keshav Maharaj is a likely beneficiary, with the deployment of a spinner expected in Cape Town.

India, meanwhile, have called up Avesh Khan for the second Test. He has been part of the A-team series between the two countries.