George Linde to replace Keshav Maharaj for third test match in Ranchi

Cricket South Africa, on Sunday, announced that spinner George Linde will replace Keshav Maharaj in the third and final test match against India on October 19 in Ranchi. This comes after Keshav Maharaj picked up an injury in the second test match as he landed on his shoulder while fielding on the second day of the second test in Pune. In the match which India went on to win by 137 runs and an innings, Maharaj picked up one wicket and scored 72 and 22 in two innings respectively. 

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Maharaj to return to play in 14-21 days

"A re-assessment ahead of the start of the fifth day of the second test match revealed that Maharaj will not be fit in time to play the final test match," Cricket South Africa stated. South Africa team doctor Ramjee Hashendra said that, "An MRI showed that Keshav has sustained an injury to a muscle in his right shoulder which was strapped in order for him to bat yesterday. He was reassessed this morning particularly with regards to bowling and showed significant discomfort during bowling," Cricket South Africa's website quoted him. Despite sustaining an injury, Maharaj came out to bat and troubled the Indian side as he notched up his maiden half-century and also added 109 runs to the total along with Vernon Philander for the ninth wicket. "The nature and extent of the injury would mean that he will probably return to play in 14 to 21 days based on his progress during the rehabilitation phase," Hashendra added.

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India's dominant performance

It was a complete performance from team India with the bat, ball and on the field. After skipper Virat Kohli who had scored an unbeaten 254 declared the innings at 601/5, South Africa could never really catch up in their first innings as they lost wickets at regular wickets and by the courtesy of their tailenders Keshav Maharaj (72) and Vernon Philander (44*) South Africa managed to get to 275. Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 8/113 which included fifteen maidens. 

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