Reports | Quinton de Kock to miss part of India Test series, expected to take paternity leave

South Africa are scheduled to play three Tests and three ODIs against India starting from December 26. The first Test will begin in Centurion while the second Test will commence on January 3 in Johannesburg. The third and final Test of the series will be played from January 11 in Cape Town.

South Africa might face a problem going into the last two fixtures of the Test series. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Quinton de Kock might miss the last two Test matches of the series against India as he awaits the birth of his first child in early January.  South Africa’s selection convenor Victor Mpitsang has confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he expects De Kock to miss the last Test. If the wicketkeeper-batsman does leave a bio-secure environment during the second Test, it is highly unlikely that he will return to the bubble in time for the third Test. De Kock has scored 3245 runs in 54 Tests with an average of 39.09 for South Africa and they might miss his services majorly.

Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton are looked upon as potential replacement for De Kock. Verreynne managed 39 runs in three innings during his debut series against West Indies earlier this year. Rickelton is yet to make his international debut but his domestic form was quite good this season. He has scored two centuries in the last three matches for Lions and has led them to the top of the points table.