Knee injury rules AB de Villiers out of India T20Is

AB de Villiers has been ruled out of the three-match Twenty20 International series against India because of a left knee injury, Cricket South Africa confirmed on Sunday (18 February).

The 34-year-old South African batsman suffered a blow to the knee a day before the sixth ODI against India in Centurion, a series which the visitors won 5-1. He played in the match, scoring 30 in an eight-wicket defeat, but the problem has flared up since.

Dr Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa's team manager, said the injury had “worsened significantly” since then and keeping in mind the upcoming Test series at home against Australia, giving the batsman rest was the plan.

“AB de Villiers will not be able to take part in the T20 International series against India due to a left knee injury,” said Moosajee in a statement. “He suffered a blow to the knee while batting ahead of the fifth ODI, and although he passed a fitness test on Friday, the injury worsened significantly throughout the match.

“The Cricket South Africa medical team has advised he is given a period of rest and rehabilitation to make a full recovery ahead of the four-match series against Australia starting next month.”