South Africa has confirmed that Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a groin injury, with Wiaan Mulder set to captain the side in his absence. The match is scheduled to take place in Bulawayo from Sunday, 6 July.
Maharaj sustained the injury while batting on the third day of the opening Test. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that he will return home for further assessment to determine the extent of the injury.
The Proteas have named Senuran Muthusamy as Maharaj’s replacement in the squad. Mulder, who had a memorable outing in the first Test, will take over the captaincy. The all-rounder impressed with a four-wicket haul and a superb 147-run knock in the second innings.
CSA also announced that pacer Lungi Ngidi has been released from the squad. The move is aimed at giving the bowlers who featured in the first Test another opportunity to prove themselves in the longest format.
In the first Test, South Africa fielded a pace-heavy attack, featuring specialists Kwena Maphaka and Codi Yusuf, alongside all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Mulder. Maharaj was the sole spinner in the line-up.
Ngidi played a pivotal role in South Africa’s World Test Championship final triumph over Australia. His decisive spell, which accounted for Steve Smith, Beau Webster, and Pat Cummins, turned the tide in South Africa’s favour, helping them secure their first ICC title in over two decades.
