Axar ruled out of remaining SA T20Is due to illness

India allrounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against South Africa, the BCCI confirmed on Monday (December 15). Axar did not feature in the third T20I in Dharamsala due to illness. The BCCI also revealed that Axar will be further assessed in Lucknow where he is present with the rest of the squad.

The selection committee has picked a like-for-like replacement in Shahbaz Ahmed. The 31-year-old has played five international matches for India, with his most recent appearance coming in the Asian Games in October 2023.

India also did not have the services of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the third game. The fast bowler had returned home for personal reasons, and his availability for the final two matches is still unclear.

Despite their absences, India won the third T20I comfortably to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The next game is scheduled to be held in Lucknow on December 17, with Ahmedabad hosting the series-concluding game on December 19.