South African skipper Faf du Plessis ruled out of the ODI and T20I series

If AB de Villiers’ missing out on the first three ODIs wasn’t a jolt big enough for the Proteas now their captain Faf du Plessis has been ruled out of the rest of the tour. Cricket South Africa (CSA) today (February 2) confirmed that the 33-year-old sustained an injury during the opening One-Day International of the six-match series against India and thus will be unavailable hereon.

Earlier, de Villiers suffered a finger injury during the third Test match against the Indians in Johannesburg and that ensured he remains out of action for the first three ODIs. He is expected to return to the squad for the pink ODI that will be played at the Wanderers. CSA hadn’t announced a replacement for ABD while they’ve now added two players to the side.

Faf like AB de Villiers also injured his finger. The Proteas skipper hit a brilliant hundred in the first ODI against India and it was his 120 that ensured the team got a total of respectability. In their quest to defend the score, the skipper hurt his finger and the same cost him his participation for the all the matches to follow against India. The visitors chased down 270 without a lot of troubles as Faf’s opposition number Virat Kohli also scored a magnificent hundred.

It was Kohli’s 33rd ODI hundred and the first in South Africa. Ajinkya Rahane also played a key hand with his knock of 79 and it was their partnership worth 189 that ensured a smooth sail for India and a 1-0 lead having lost the Test series 2-1.

The selectors have named Farhan Behardien and Heinrich Klaasen who will join the rest of the Proteas squad for the following five ODIs and three T20Is. They will also have to appoint a new captain for the team and it is likely that one among David Miller and JP Duminy will be asked to lead the side in Faf’s absence.

South African squad for the ODI series:

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungisani Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khayelihle Zondo, Farhan Behardien and Heinrich Klaasen