The Indian tour of South Africa will commence in about 10 days and already both the teams have been dealt huge blows. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not be available for tests and ODIs respectively whereas for South Africa, Quinton de Kock is likely to miss a couple of tests. This is something that could very well decide the series itself. The impact these players have on the games is enormous. Let me try to analyse Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absence alongwith Quinton’s.
India’s most consistent batsman
Over the last couple of years, Rohit Sharma has been the most consistent of all the Indian batsmen. Not only has he been consistent but he has also been solid at the top of the order. Especially, outside India. It is something India have missed in a very long time. A player at the top of the order who blunts the new ball, absorbs the pressure and scores runs at the same time. Sometimes even daddy hundreds. Rohit has been that sort of a batsman. He played a major part in the success in England, though the series is yet to be decided. The hundred at The Oval played no small part in that win. It was a masterful knock.
Rohit will miss the series because with an injury to his left hamstring. This is the second major tour over the last 12 months he will not be part of though he played in a couple of games in Australia.
Chance for the rest to stake a claim
The void that Rohit has left behind is hard to fill. Mayank Agarwal and Rahul will be the first choice openers with Gill as backup. Gill has had a decent start to his international career but his inability to convert 50s into 100s is something he will have to work on. An opener who gets starts must convert some of them to big hundreds but Gill so far hasn’t done that. He still has age on his side and will learn. However, I do think that Mayank and Rahul will start as openers in the first test. Mayank is coming off of a brilliant match and series winnings innings against New Zealand though in India. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to cope up with the pace of Rabadda and Nortje. His last test innings outside of India wasn’t something that will be remembered.
Rahul on the otherhand, did reasonably well in England but I still am not certain that he is test material. What the absence of Rohit means is that Rahane will certainly be in the playing eleven in all the 3 games. Rohit’s experience is something that cannot be replicated with any of the available reserve. Rahane will get that many more chances to redeem his career but it is unlikely he will make use of it.
Quinton will not be available
South Africa will probably be without their most experienced cricketer for the second and third tests. Quinton’s wife is expected give birth in January and he will have to be with his wife. It is unlikely that he can return to the side considering the bio-security protocols. His absence is an even bigger blow. Quinton has the ability to change the game quickly and his wicket keeping is equally good. South Africa may need 2 players to replace Quinton which may affect the balance of the side.
Kohli’s absence
Kohli’s absence for the ODI leg is unlikely to have any major impact because the quality within the ODI team is pretty good. Moreover, South Africa aren’t a major force any longer in the short format. They do possess quality but are not the same dominating force at the world stage. India have sufficient replacements for Kohli though not to the same level. If Kohli had been available, it would have given him a wonderful chance to get back into his usual self.
Cricket South Africa is taking all precautions
South African board in the meanwhile, is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure a smooth and successful series. A lot rides on the success of this series. South African board will earn a major revenue from this tour and will have to ensure a trouble-free series.
“Considering that all those within the ecosystem will be vaccinated, the positive case will isolate within the hotel room if clinically stable,” CSA’s chief medical officer Shuaib Manjra told ESPNcricinfo. “Contacts will continue playing and training with non-medical interventions strictly observed, and tested daily.”
CSA wanted a much more relaxed bio-bubble but the quick surge of the virus have left them with no choice other than to modify their original plan.
“Whilst at the end of the third wave we considered moving from a strict BSE to a managed environment, the Omicron variant and high levels of community transmission have forced a strict BSE,” Manjra stated.
Conclusion to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absence
South Africa remain the only nation where India have not won a test series yet. Rohit’s absence for such an important series is a big blow. Perhaps Rohit may never be able to experience a win in South Africa because by the time the next tour comes along in 3-4 years, Rohit may have very well retired. Having said that, his unavailability leaves room for Mayank, Rahul and Gill to stake their claim to be the first choice opener even when Rohit is available. Rohit cannot be dropped but these 3 can make that that much harder.