In a recent update from the Proteas men’s cricket team, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been sidelined for the remainder of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan. Maharaj suffered a left adductor strain, as confirmed by medical scans, and will head back to his hometown of Durban to begin his rehabilitation process.

Keshav Maharaj to return home for rehabilitation

The injury means Maharaj will miss the upcoming matches and his condition will be re-evaluated before the start of the Test series against Pakistan. Stepping into his shoes for the final two ODIs is the talented left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin.

“Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out for the remainder of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan after scans revealed a left adductor strain. He will return home to Durban for rehabilitation and will be reassessed ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. Bjorn Fortuin has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs,” the official handle of Proteas men captioned their post.

Maharaj suffered injury just ahead of the two home Tests which are crucial to their quest in making to the final of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC). South Africa are currently top of the table with a percentage of 63.33.

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What if Maharaj fails to regain fitness ahead of Pakistan Tests?

While the severity of Maharaj’s injury is yet to be ascertained, this adds to the long list of injured South Africa bowlers. Anrich Nortje was ruled out with a fractured toe ahead of the T20Is against Pakistan; Gerald Coetzee and Lungi Ngidi are out until January 2025 with groin and hip issues respectively; Nandre Burger is out of the team due to a stress fracture of the lower back.

So now, Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy are the two spinners in contention for the upcoming Tests, if Maharaj is ruled out.

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