New Delhi: Team India's regular Test skipper Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India vs South Africa 2nd Test match being played in Johannesburg. Virat Kohli has been rested due to an upper back spasm and KL Rahul is leading the national squad against Proteas.
The Karnataka batter is leading Team India for the first time ever in any format. BCCI has already announced KL Rahul as India's limited-overs skipper for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. India's regular white-ball skipper Rohit Sharma is unfit, due to which Rahul has been given the captaincy.
KL Rahul on Monday joined an elite list after he was named India's skipper for the Johannesburg Test. The 29-year-old has become the second Indian captain in 32 years, who took charge of the Test team before captaining the national squad limited overs format.
Earlier in the year 1990, Mohammad Azharuddin had attained this feat. Apart from Rahul and Azhar, legends like Sunil Gavaskar, BS Bedi, Ajit Wadekar also hold the unique record.
"Every Indian player dreams to captain his country. Really looking forward to this," KL Rahul said during the toss.
KL Rahul has become the 34th player to captain India in Test matches. He is the fourth player from Karnataka to become the captain of the Indian team.
Earlier in 1980, Gundappa Vishwanath had led the Indian team in two Tests, Rahul Dravid in 25 Tests between 2003 and 2007 and Anil Kumble in 14 Tests between 2007 and 2008.
After Ind vs SA Test series, KL Rahul will captain the Indian team in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting January 19 in Paarl.