South African spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the third and final Test in Ranchi against India with a shoulder injury. Left-arm spinner George Linde has been named as his replacement.
Maharaj sustained the injury on the second day of the Pune Test while fielding. “A re-assessment ahead of the start of play this morning along with MRI results revealed that he will not be fit in time to play in the final Test match,” a release from Cricket South Africa stated on Sunday (October 13), after the conclusion of the Test that South Africa lost by an innings and 137 runs.
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Maharaj picked up just the one wicket in the second Test, but he scored a resilient 72 in South Africa’s first innings to keep India at bay after the hosts had reduced the visitors to 162/8. He added 109 with Vernon Philander for the ninth wicket taking South Africa to 275 before they were bowled out. He then followed it up with a 22 in the second innings
“An MRI scan revealed that Keshav has sustained an injury to a muscle in his right shoulder which was strapped in order for him to bat yesterday. He was re-assess this morning, particularly with regards to bowling, and he showed significant discomfort in this latter discipline.
“Based on this morning’s assessment and the findings of the scan, the medical team feel he will not be fit in time for the next Test match in six days’ time. The nature and extent of the injury would mean that he will probably return to play in 14 to 21 days based on his progress during the rehabilitation phase,” team doctor Ramjee Hashendra said.
The final Test of the series begins in Ranchi on Saturday with India bagging the series 2-0 already.
