South Africa’s bowling attack has taken a hit with the news that Kagiso Rabada will miss the second Test against India in Guwahati and the subsequent white-ball leg of the tour. The injury, a stress fracture in his rib bone, also kept him out of the first Test triumph in Kolkata. Despite consistent monitoring by the Proteas’ medical personnel, Rabada’s persistent discomfort has forced his withdrawal from further participation. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been drafted into the squad to bolster the bowling options. Rabada will undertake the initial part of his recovery, a four-week program, with the team’s medical staff before his return to South Africa post the second Test. This could pave the way for an unchanged South African XI. The team’s bowling in the first Test was exceptional, highlighted by Simon Harmer’s Player of the Match performance with eight wickets. He was supported by spinner Keshav Maharaj and pace all-rounders Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and Corbin Bosch. Temba Bavuma’s side aims to create history by winning a Test series in India for the first time since 2000.
