India will take on South Africa in a two-match Test series after clinching the ODI series 2-1. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be back after taking a time off following the gruelling ODI World Cup recently. The first Test is scheduled to be held at the Centurion from December 26th.

3 things you need to know

• India will play two Test matches against South Africa
• Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will also take part in the series
• India took the ODI series 2-1

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Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the Test series

In a major setback, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out of the Test series due to an injury sustained during the recently concluded ODI series. The BCCI Selection Committee named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement. Gaikwad will return to India and will join the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for his rehabilitation.

On the other hand, pace bowler Harshit Rana will also miss the four-day match against South Africa at Willowmoore Park. Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Avesh Khan and Rinku Singh have been added to the India A squad. Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad.

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A statement from the BCCI confirmed the development. 

"Mr Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. He underwent scans, and following an expert consultation, the BCCI Medical Team has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour. He will be reporting to the NCA for further management of his injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement.

“Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the four-day match against South Africa A starting on 26th December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni owing to a hamstring injury. The Selection Committee has added Mr Rajat Patidar, Mr Sarfaraz Khan, Mr Avesh Khan and Mr Rinku Singh to India A’s squad while Mr Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad.”

India squad against South Africa

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ishan Kishan (wk), KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Mohd Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna