'Those bragged about his fitness have faces in mud now' - Twitter reacts as Virat Kohli misses Johannesburg Test with back injury

South Africa and India are all set to lock horns with each other for the second Test match at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. However, what comes as a big blow for India is that Virat Kohli will miss the Test. In his absence, KL Rahul has been given the opportunity to captain the side for the pivotal contest.

India has won the toss and elected to bat first in the second Test match. At the toss, Rahul stated that Kohli is having an upper back spasm and that is the reason behind him missing the match. In his place, Hanuma Vihari has been given a green signal to feature in the team. Other than this forced change, team India hasn’t made any tweaks in their setup from the last game.

It is a no-brainer that for every cricketer it is a dream to lead the side in the longest and the purest format of the game. Rahul gave an update about Kohli’s fitness and then expressed his feelings on getting the opportunity to captain India.

“Virat is having an upper back spasm. Every Indian player dreams to captain his country. Really looking forward to this. We will look to put some runs on the board and put the opposition under pressure. Hanuma Vihari comes in for Virat. No other change,” Rahul said at the toss.

Virat Kohli looked in fine touch with the willow in the first Test. He added 35 runs to the team’s account in the first innings. Whereas his dismissal in the second innings fetched in mixed reactions as the cricketing fraternity and on-lookers put forward their opinions on him playing the outside off-stump deliveries.

Hanuma Vihari replaces Virat Kohli on the side

The batter did not find a place in the setup in the Centurion Test. This led to a lot of debates as there were opinions that Vihari should have found a spot instead of Pujara or Rahane in the team. The batter recently toured South Africa with India A  for the unofficial Tests. He will now look to make most of the opportunity he has received.

India is on the cusp of creating history as they head on to this match after having secured a win at Centurion. If India manages to clinch another victory, the team will register their maiden Test series win in the country.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Virat Kohli missing the second Test: 

Imagine watching a test match without Virat Kohli 🤢

— ɪʀᴏɴɪᴄ ᴋᴀʀᴀɴ 🖤 (@Karan__18) January 3, 2022

Get well soon skip @imVkohli ❤️‍🩹#SAvsIND

— Aaryan Sood (@Sood9aaryan) January 3, 2022

No Kohli no party

— Yuvraj (Smartest Ronaldo Fan) (@PenaltyMyLife) January 3, 2022

Kohli's century drought has now extended to him not being able to play his 100th Test on time #INDvSA

— AayushKataria (@aayush11kataria) January 3, 2022

Virat shared pictures, trained at nets. No way he has a fitness issue. No mention of it in yesterday's PC. #Kohli

— Arpan (@ThatCricketHead) January 3, 2022

Can Virat Kohli please tweet during the Test like Pat Cummins did for a bit?#SAvIND

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) January 3, 2022

Was backing the same winning XI of Centurion to do the job in #Wanderers on unless the wicket is like it was in 2018. However, #Kohli missing the Test is a blow #SAvsIND #INDvsSA #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Hplakawlla

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) January 3, 2022

Virat Kohli's stats are unreal but his stars are more unreal.

— Hansika (@Hansickaa) January 3, 2022

First match of the Year and Kohli injured 🥲

— AbhiAbhiShake (@nowShakeeit) January 3, 2022

Kohli fans were bragging about his fitness and now their faces are in mud .. poetic justice#INDvsSA#INDvSA#SAvsIND#SAvIND

— Mishra 🇮🇳 (@itsAKMishra__) January 3, 2022

Toota hai Virat Kohli ki fitness ka ghamand pic.twitter.com/XpABP8xgXq

— Sudhanshu Ranjan Singh (@memegineers_) January 3, 2022

https://twitter.com/aslamixed/status/1477909338740051968?s=20

#Kohli missing the first match of the series of 2022 was not something any fan would have thought of. But, this Indian team is in form and still capable of winning the series at #Wanderers pic.twitter.com/WDUVETTevj

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) January 3, 2022

Regardless of current form Virat Kohli not playing is a huge boost for South Africa not just as a player but the aggressive leader!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2022