Virat Kohli has returned home from South Africa for personal reasons, but is likely to rejoin the Test squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, reports espncricinfo.com.
Kohli didn't take part in the Indians' three-day intra-squad match, the only red-ball outing for a number of senior players including captain Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, ahead of the two-Test series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the two-Test series because of a finger injury. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is currently part of the India A squad that is on a shadow tour of South Africa, has been sounded out to replace Gaikwad as the reserve opener.
Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to continue their partnership at the top of the order, like they did in the Caribbean in July-August, which was India's most recent Test assignment.
Abhimanyu struck an unbeaten 61 on the second day of the practice game in Pretoria before he was retired by the team management.
As things stand, Abhimanyu is likely to feature for India A in the second four-day match against South Africa A, also beginning on December 26, barring any last-minute changes.
He will then link up with the national squad ahead of the New Year's Test in Cape Town.
Gaikwad is expected to head back home and to the BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
He picked up the injury on the ring finger of his right hand while fielding during the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha.
In his absence, India handed a debut to Rajat Patidar for the series-deciding final ODI in Paarl, which India won.
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