Rib Injury Rules Kagiso Rabada Out of Remainder of India Test Tour

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second Test against India in Guwahati, starting Saturday, after failing to recover from a rib bone stress injury. The same injury had already sidelined him from the opening Test in Kolkata.

Cricket South Africa confirmed the development on Friday, stating that Rabada continues to experience discomfort.
“The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour,” the board said. He will begin the initial phase of a four-week rehabilitation programme under the supervision of team medical staff, before flying home after the second Test.

Rabada’s absence means he will also miss the white-ball series that follows the Tests.

As earlier reported, Rabada had not bowled since sustaining the injury during a training session last Tuesday in Kolkata and did not participate in practice after the team moved to Guwahati.

In the first Test, South Africa leaned heavily on their spin duo, with Simon Harmer starring with an eight-wicket match haul and Keshav Maharaj providing support. Marco Jansen led the pace attack, while Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch offered additional seam options. Mulder bowled just five overs, while Bosch claimed a single wicket — that of Rishabh Pant — but contributed a valuable 25 runs from No. 9 in the second innings.

With Rabada unavailable, South Africa’s only frontline fast bowler in the squad remains Lungi Ngidi, increasing the pressure on the Proteas’ pace resources heading into the second Test.