‘That means KL Rahul is going to be the wicket-keeper’- Fans react as Ishan Kishan opts out of South Africa Tests due to personal reasons

India’s young wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan has opted out of the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, citing personal reasons. Kishan, who has played only two Tets so far, was in line to take up the wicket-keeper’s slot but his withdrawal has now paved the way for KS Bharat, to potentially add to his 5 Test caps.

Bharat, who has played 5 Tests was recently dropped from the test side but has now got a lifeline. However, his inclusion in the squad doesn’t guarantee him a spot in the playing 11 as India might be tempted to play KL Rahul instead. The 30-year-old Rahul was sensational in the recently concluded ODI World Cup, playing as a middle-order batter whilst also keeping wickets. In a press conference ahead of the ongoing first ODI between South Africa and India, Rahul confirmed that he was interested in taking up the same role in Tests.

Rohit and Co. aim for a first

Driven by the sting of near misses on their previous two South African sojourns, India, captained by the resolute Rohit Sharma, are hungry to break new ground and be the first Indian team to conquer the Proteas in their backyard. Armed with undeniable talent, the task remains daunting. To conquer the Rainbow Nation’s hallowed turf, India must overcome several hurdles, starting with the recent blow of Mohammad Shami’s injury-enforced absence. Arguably India’s spearhead in red-ball cricket, Shami’s stellar performances on the past two South African tours leave a gaping void that Rohit and his men must navigate around.

Despite these challenges, India’s arsenal remains formidable. Their batting lineup boasts explosive powerhouses like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, capable of demolishing even the most potent bowling attacks. In terms of bowling too, India has some serious talent and skill with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

But South Africa are far from pushovers. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by the pace express Kagiso Rabada and the lanky swing maestro Marco Jansen, can extract vicious bounce from their familiar wickets, posing a serious threat to the Indian batsmen. This India-South Africa Test series is more than just a clash of cricketing titans; it’s a battle of resilience, skill, and adaptation. As such, fans are in for some serious entertainment.

Here’s how ‘X-verse’ reacted to the news of Ishan’s withdrawal and Bharat’s inclusion: