IND vs SA: After suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of South Africa, Team India has been hit with an injury scare ahead of the 2nd and the final match of the Test series. India were blown away with a perfect all-round show from the Proteas in the first match in Centurion as the hosts registered a massive innings and a 32-run win over the visitors. 

However, bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur was hit on his shoulder while he was training on Saturday in Centurion ahead of the second Test. Shardul copped a blow to his left shoulder while he was batting and facing throwdowns from a support staff member. While the all-rounder continued to bat, he did not turn up to bowl. 

Shardul was seen in pain and discomfort after the blow. As he did not bowl, he put an ice pack on his shoulder. Notably, the magnitude of Shardul’s injury has not been determined as of now and scans will be taken if required. 

India are already without Mohammed Shami and Ruturaj Gaikwad, both of whom have been ruled out of the Test series due to injuries. They missed Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test as he had back spasms. Shami, who was instrumental in India’s campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023, picked up an ankle injury and is on the recovery road. Meanwhile, Gaikwad was not part of the World Cup but he was picked for the complete South Africa tour, which included three T20Is, as many ODIs and two Tests. However, Gaikwad picked a finger injury in the second ODI of the series and was ruled out of the Test series. 

Notably, India would fly out to Cape Town for the second Test on Sunday. The hosts have added Abhimanyu Easwaran and Avesh Khan in place of Shami and Gaikwad. Rinku Singh, who was an unofficial part of the squad for the 1st Test has been released due to the new entrants providing enough options to pick the Playing XI for the second Test.

Shardul could not impress much with either the bat or ball as he made only 24 and 2 with the bat and then finished with figures of 19-2-101-1.

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