Keshav Maharaj Ruled Out of Second Test with Groin Injury. In a significant setback for South Africa, stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a groin injury. The left-arm spinner sustained the injury while batting on day three of the first Test.
Keshav Maharaj was leading the side in place of regular skipper Temba Bavuma, who missed the series after suffering a hamstring injury during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against Australia last month.
South Africa are currently on a two-match Test tour of Zimbabwe. The second and final Test is scheduled to begin on July 6 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The visitors hold a 1-0 lead in the series following their victory in the opening Test.
Wiaan Mulder Named South Africa Captain for Second Test Against Zimbabwe
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder has been named South Africa’s captain for the second Test against Zimbabwe, replacing Keshav Maharaj, who will miss the match. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy has been drafted into the squad as Maharaj’s replacement, while pacer Lungi Ngidi, initially expected to join the team, has been released.
Keshav Maharaj played a pivotal role in South Africa’s dominant win in the first Test. The experienced spinner claimed four wickets in the match, including three in the first innings, and also scored a vital half-century in the second innings.
South Africa sealed a commanding 328-run victory in the opening Test. Batting first, the Proteas posted 418/9 declared, powered by centuries from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch. Keshav Maharaj, They then bowled Zimbabwe out for 291, despite a century from Sean Williams.
In the second innings, captain Mulder led from the front with a century, helping South Africa set a mammoth target of 537. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 208, handing South Africa a resounding win and a 1–0 lead in the series.