South Africa's de Kock out of India series with wrist injury
South Africa wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock has been ruled out of the remaining ODIs and T20Is against India with a wrist injury. De Kock will be sidelined for two to four weeks to recover and joins captain Faf du Plessis and experienced batsman AB de Villiers in the treatment room.
The Proteas, who are 2-0 down in the six-match ODI series against India, have not named a replacement, having already called up batsman Farhaan Behardien and wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen following du Plessis' injury.
"Quinton suffered an extreme blow to the left wrist while batting in the second ODI on Sunday and felt severe pain and discomfort," South Africa team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said. "Further investigation revealed severe bony bruising to the area, with associated swelling around the tendon in the wrist.
"The Cricket South Africa medical team will aim to have him ready for the Test series against Australia starting next month.”
Klaasen is uncapped at international level, but has been in form in South Africa's domestic one-day competition recently, scoring 522 runs at an average of 52.20 this season.
With no other wicket-keeper in the squad, he is set to make his ODI debut for the Proteas in the third ODI at Cape Town on Wednesday 7 February. However, de Villiers is expected to be fit again by the fourth ODI in Johannesburg on 10 February, meaning he may then re-take the gloves.
Although de Kock was struggling for form, having not passed fifty in eight innings in the Test and ODI arena against India, his unavailability leaves South Africa facing a third injury to a senior player in a short space of time, while fast bowler Dale Steyn remains unavailable.
The 25-year-old made scores of 34 and 20 opening the batting in the first two ODIs, but has looked scratchy against the Indian attack throughout. His decision to walk off before the umpire raised his finger for lbw in the first ODI, with replays showing a review would have given him a reprieve, summed up his lack of confidence.
South Africa will now have to find a new opening batsman to partner Hashim Amla. Aiden Markram, who captained the side in du Plessis' absence last time out, may move up the order to fill the position he takes in Tests.
South Africa squad: Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Khaya Zondo.