The South African cricket team were dealt a huge blow when skipper?Faf du Plessis?was ruled out of the ongoing One-Day International series. Du Plessis was unfortunate enough to pick up a finger injury during the first ODI. As a result, The 33-year old will also be forced to sit out of the upcoming Twenty20 International series against India. To make matters worse, the Proteas lost their star batsman AB de Villiers for the first three ODIs, coincidentally due to a finger injury.
He underwent further scans and revealed that his index finger was fractured. The suggested period of recuperation is expected to be 3-6 weeks. Now, the Protean captain plans to regain his fitness in time for the first Test against Australia on March 1.
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To deal with the more immediate problem of replacing Faf for the remainder of the India-South Africa series, the selectors chose?Farhaan Behardien?as Du Plessis’ replacement. With no du Plessis on the team, Heinrich Klaasen?earned his maiden ODI call-up as a reserve wicket-keeper in the squad.
However, Cricket South Africa are yet to decide the captain for the remainder of the ODI series.?South Africa lost the first ODI in Durban on Thursday to trail the six-match series 0-1. India got the better of South Africa despite a valiant effort from Du Plessis, scoring 120. Unfortunately for SA, Du Plessis’ century was cancelled out by Virat Kohli’s?33rd ODI hundred leading India to a six-wicket win.
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Du Plessis’ and De Villiers’ absence really puts the Proteas on the back foot for the remainder of the ODI series. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for South Africa though, de Villiers is expected back in the squad for the final 3 matches of the ODI series. How will that pan out the the Indian cricket team is a mystery.
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