Durban: Finger injuries seems to be taking a toll on the South African team as after AB de Villiers was ruled out for the first three matches, it is skipper Faf Du Plessis, who would miss the remainder of the limited overs’ series against India due to the same reason.
Du Plessis had injured his right index finger during the first ODI against India at the Sahara Stadium in Durban and on further assesment, it was revealed that it was a case of fracture, ruling him out for three-six weeks.
The right-hander would undergo rehabilitation with the aim of recovering for the Test series against Australia, the first of which begins in Durban on March 1.
Farhaan Behardien has been named as a replacement for Du Plessis and Heinrich Klaasen has been handed a maiden ODI call-up, as a reserve wicket-keeper batsman.
South Africa would announce their captain for the remainder of the ODI series on Saturday. Du Plessis had batted brilliantly in Durban where he played a solid 120-run knock which took his team to a competitive total. Eventually, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane reigned supreme as the visitors won the match comfortably with six wickets to spare.
With Du Plessis out of the squad, it would be even more difficult for the hosts to stage a comeback in the six-match series, in which India have a 1-0 lead at the moment.