Three players who can replace Gerald Coetzee in 2nd Test against India

South African Cricket Team showed their might with the bat and ball to win the first with ease. The match ended in three days as Dean Elgar led the side to a comprehensive win. With the series moving to Cape Town, both teams will want to start the New Year with a win. 

Ahead of the game, there is bad news for the home team. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has suffered an injury during the 2^nd innings in Centurion. This has forced him out of contention for a place in Cape Town.

Team India too will be looking to make changes to their playing XI. Ravindra Jadeja is rumoured to come back into the team. Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan might come in place of Prasidh Krishna who failed to impress in the first Test. In this article, we take a closer look at the three players who could replace Gerald Coetzee during the second Test.

Wiaan Mulder –

The 25-year-old all-rounder hasn’t played cricket since the start of 2023. The Test match versus West Indies in Johannesburg was his last international outing. Mulder played a small role during the Centurion Test win when he came in as the substitute fielder.

Wiaan Mulder is a dependable lower-order batter and a decent medium-pace bowler. With his ability to bowl at decent lengths all day, Mulder will not be a bad choice. India has played against the 25-year-old before during the Centurion Test of 2021.

Lungi Ngidi –

Team India had to deal with the express pace of Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, and Marco Jansen in the first Test. If the home team wants an able replacement there is no one better than Lungi Ngidi.

The 27-year-old has troubled India in the past with his pace bounce and nagging lengths. Lungi Ngidi is a proven match-winner and has a good record in the Test format against the Indian side. 

Keshav Maharaj –

Cape Town is known to be a great track for Test Cricket for batting and bowling. During the first three days of the game, the batters and the faster bowlers will be enjoying the amazing surface at Newlands.

It is the fourth and fifth day that starts to play tricks for the batters. Spin takes effect and Keshav Maharaj then comes into the equation. Over the years, the veteran spinner has enjoyed success at this venue. South Africa might be tempted to play Maharaj to put the Indian team under pressure if they bat last on the wicket.