Gurkeerat in, Philander out for Bangalore Test
All-rounder Gurkeerat Singh has found a spot in the Indian squad for the second Test of the Freedom Series starting on November 14 at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore. Meanwhile, South African quick Vernon Philander was ruled out for the rest of the series due to an ankle injury.
"Gurkeerat Singh Mann has been included in the Indian Test team and will join the team for the second Test of the four-match Paytm Freedom Trophy in Bengaluru," stated a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) press release on Thursday.
Gurkeerat had earned his place in the ODI squad that lost to the visitors 3-2 as well, on the back of strong performances, including an all-round match winning display against Australia A in the final of the triangular series at Chennai in August- an unbeaten knock of 87 along with 2/42. Gurkeerat had followed it up with an unbeaten 201 against Railways and figures of 4/14 and 5/38 against Andhra in the domestic circuit.
The all-rounder, however, did not get a chance to take the field in any match. “Gurkeerat is there, but he won't get the chance right away. Having said that, it is good to have people like him who are multi-talented. For now, he will have to wait for his opportunity," Dhoni had said.
Commentator Harsha Bhogle, however, seemed to have his finger on the pulse when he remarked:
Including Gurkeerat Mann in the test squad can only mean India are actually thinking of six batsmen where one will need to bowl.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 12, 2015Meanwhile, South Africa's hopes of a come-back suffered a jolt when pacer Vernon Philander was ruled out for the rest of the series.
Philander suffered the injury during a warm-up football match after stepping on Dean Elgar's foot, in what ODI skipper AB de Villiers described as a "very freakish accident".
"Vernon rolled his left ankle during practice at the stadium in Bengaluru this morning. He was taken to the hospital for an MRI scan which confirmed an ankle ligament tear which will rule him out of the current series against India," said Dr. Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa's team manager, as reported by espncricinfo.
Philander's absence only adds to the Proteas' injury woes as they await the verdict on spearhead Dale Steyn's participation in the Test. Steyn had suffered a groin injury in the first Test and did not take the field for the latter part of the match. Although Steyn had bowled briefly in the nets, his condition will be known only after a final medical test on Friday, said a CSA release, reported espncricinfo.
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