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SpORTS DECEMBER 31, 2021 | The Indian Eye 54

Mohammed Siraj during the practice session ahead of the first Test match Head Coach of Team India Rahul Dravid with team India players ahead of the first Test match
in Centurion (ANI) at SuperSport Park on Monday (ANI)

because it is not a controversy but The Board of Control for Crick- series in South Africa: Pujara Pujara.
a matter of opinion. I don’t know et in India (BCCI) on Monday had Ahead of the South African se- “I am sure there is enough time
what Sourav had said to Virat so I confirmed that Rohit Sharma was ries, Indian batter Cheteshwar Pu- for us to prepare and guys are look-
don’t want to comment on that. But I ruled out of the three-match Test jara said the visiting side’s bowlers ing forward to this series. This is the
think that Sourav being the President series against South Africa due to a have always been the “difference” best opportunity for us to win our
should come out and give an expla- hamstring issue. between two teams in earlier tours as first series in South Africa. So, all
nation and that will be the end of the “Team India Test vice-captain he hopes for a similar performance of us are looking forward to it,” he
entire issue. We need to be focused Rohit Sharma sustained a left ham- in the upcoming games. added.
on the South Africa tour right now string injury during his training ses- South Africa and India will lock
as it is an important game for us,” sion here in Mumbai yesterday,” the horns in the three-match Test series KoHli’S new avatar BowlS
Madan Lal told ANI. BCCI stated in an official release. before the two sides meet in the lim-
Madan Lal further said he “He has been ruled out of the ited-overs format. The Test series over FanS
agrees with Sunil Gavaskar that upcoming 3-match Test series against begins on December 26. Pujara has Virat Kohli is known for his at-
Kohli should clear the issue with South Africa. Priyank Panchal will backed the Indian bowlers to deliv- tractive batting style which has al-
management. replace Rohit Sharma in the Test er for the visitors in the upcoming ways been a challenge for any bowl-
“Gavaskar is correct with his squad,” it added. South Africa series. er in the world.
point. Virat should clear all his issues “Our fast bowlers have been However, the Test skipper un-
with the management. This is not a indian Squad BeginS the difference between the two sides folded his entertaining avatar to the
big matter. I would say that the se- whenever we have played abroad. If fans in his latest social media post
lectors should have handled the situ- training For FirSt teSt you look at the Australia series, even where he was seen trying out the
ation better. It is the duty of selectors The Virat Kohli-led Indian Test if you look at the England series, we popular helium balloon challenge.
to look after and stop these contro- squad has begun preparation for the have done exceptionally well as a Currently the most followed Indian
versies. I am not sure if the selectors South Africa tour ahead of the first bowling unit and I am sure that will sportsman on social media, Kohli
spoke to Virat before taking the de- Test which gets underway from De- be the case even in South Africa,” who is also the brand ambassador of
cision,” said Madan Lal. cember 26. ESPNcricinfo quoted Pujara as say- PUMA was seen answering some of
South Africa and India will lock ing. the most searched questions about
Kl raHul to don vice- horns in the three-match Test series “Our fast bowlers are our him in a hilarious high-pitched
caPtaincy Hat before the two sides meet in the lim- strength and I hope that they will voice.
Considering his huge popular-
ited-overs format. The Indian squad
be able to utilise these conditions
KL Rahul will don the vice-cap- held their first practice session on and give us 20 wickets in every Test ity, there have been a number of
taincy hat for the upcoming three- Saturday to gear up for the South Af- match,” he added. questions searched by his fans on
match Test series against South Af- rica tour. India recently defeated New the internet regularly, if not daily,
rica. “#TeamIndia begin prepara- Zealand in the Test series 1-0 and to get more information about their
Rohit Sharma would have been tions for the first Test in Centuri- Pujara feels this is the best opportu- favourite batsman.
the vice-captain, but a hamstring in- on Stadium. First practice session nity for the Indian squad to clinch the The 33-year-old India Test skip-
jury ruled him out of the series and done,” BCCI tweeted the pictures series in South Africa. per was seen enjoying the challenge
hence Rahul would act as deputy to from the practice session. “The good thing is we played a which has been taken up by celeb-
Virat Kohli. Sources in the know of The Indian Test squad arrived couple of Test matches in India. So, rities not just from India but world
developments confirmed to ANI that in Johannesburg, South Africa on most of the guys are in touch, and over.
Rahul would indeed be the vice-cap- Thursday. Rohit Sharma will be miss- when it comes to preparation, the If someone is a Kohli fan and
tain for Tests against South Africa. ing the upcoming Test series after the support staff has been excellent. wonders if he owns a private jet,
“Yes, with Rohit missing, KL Ra- hamstring injury and Priyank Pan- They have been supporting us well drinks black water, what is he doing
hul would be the vice-captain,” the chal was named as the replacement. and we have five or six days more be- right now or was he good at studies,
source said. Best opportunity to win our 1st fore we head into the first Test,” said the video is a must watch for them.

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