With only days left in the start of the Test series against India, hosts South Africa suffered a huge blow as their pace sensation Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the whole series due to injury. 

According to a media statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA), the speedster hasn’t been able to recuperate from a “persistent” hip injury, which has kept him out of action since the T20 World Cup, held in the UAE.

#Proteas Squad update

Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the 3-match #BetwayTestSeries due to a persistent injury

No replacement will be brought in#SAvIND #FreedomSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/5R8gnwdcpF

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 21, 2021

“Proteas bowler, Anrich Nortje, has been ruled out of the three-match, Betway Test series against India, due to a persistent injury. He has unfortunately not recovered adequately for the expected Test match bowling loads and is currently consulting with specialists to manage and advise on his recovery. No replacement will be brought in,” CSA said in its media statement.

Nortje has only played 12 Test matches for his country so far but has picked up 47 wickets, with 25 of them coming in this year alone. Despite being fairly new to the international circuit, Nortje has taken to the world stage like duck to water and established himself as one the most lethal fast bowlers on the planet.

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Setback to South Africa means advantage to Virat Kohli and his men and they will be delighted that they won’t have to worry about Nortje’s express pace and bounce anymore. His absence has created a huge void in the South African pace attack, and titled the tide in the touring party’s favour.

Even before Nortje’s injury many believed that this was India’s best chance to break their deadlock and register their maiden Test series triumph on the South Africa soil. And with this latest development, they have grown even more confident that the team would finally script history.

- De Kock on paternity leave.
- Nortje ruled out.

Golden opportunity for India to win test series in SA.

— Umakant (@Umakant_27) December 21, 2021

wow. ind had good chance of winning this now

— naqshpa (@ntweet_55) December 21, 2021

Big setback for southafrica and good news for India

— Himanshu Agrawal. (@Himansh23626590) December 21, 2021

pic.twitter.com/rH3FWFIoYq

— Shivansh Singh (@Shivdude12345) December 21, 2021

However, not every Indian fan was delighted after hearing of Nortje’s injury. In fact, a large group of supporters, who were hoping to see a tight contest, actually began bemoaning his injury, saying that it would make the series one-sided and they would be deprived of competitive cricket that they always expect whenever these two sides lock horns against each other.

Ab maza nhi aayega yaar

— Milind Madhav (@Madhav__Milind) December 21, 2021

Fir wahi baali baat hogae na jaise great MSD kahte the ki weak team ke against runs karke kya fayda
No Quinton, no Naukia

— Yogen (45) (@frontFootPuller) December 21, 2021

I don't know should I be happy that India's win chances went up drastically or sad that it might not be as competitive now

— शुभम राऊत (@ShubhamRaut2397) December 21, 2021

Noooo we need a tight competition

— (@DrStrangeDHFM) December 21, 2021

as a cricket fan wanted to see nortje vs indian batter ,its really sad that he will not play

— Vishnurawal (@Vishnu16410) December 21, 2021

No doubt, Proteas will miss their star pacer dearly but we shouldn’t forget that they still have a quality fast bowling unit led by Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, young Marco Jansen, and Duanne Olivier who is set to make his comeback in the South African set-up after returning from the Kolpak deal.

On paper India looks like a strong side but there is a reason why they have only won three red-ball games in South Africa so far. There is a reason why the visitors have never won two Test matches on a single tour.

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Nortje might be out but their other pacers are more than capable of rattling any opposition on their given day, which explains why they haven’t called in any replacements.

So, those of you worrying about the series being dull and boring, tighten your seatbelts and brace yourself for exhilarating cricket.

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