AB de Villiers ruled out of the T20I series against India

The Indian team absolutely outclassed South Africa as they clinched the six-match ODI series 5-1. With the win, the Virat Kohli led team also became the numero uno team in both the Test and ODI formats. The tour on the whole currently looks evenly poised, as the Proteas won the red-ball format while India sealed the ODI series. Thus, it all comes down to the T20 leg, in what promises to be the ultimate battle to establish dominion.

However, the Proteas team management received a major blow to their preparation ahead of the T20I series. Their injury woes worsened as South African stalwart AB de Villiers has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour. The 34-year-old incurred a serious injury to his left knee last week which worsened further while playing in the final ODI fixture on Friday. Prior to that, de Villiers missed the first three ODI matches with a finger injury.

He will rehabbing under a constant medical care and is expected to return for the first Test against Australia when they visit the rainbow nation in a week and a half’s time.

Independent reporter Stuart Hess took to his Twitter handle to confirm the news. His post read, “Right, AB de Villiers is out of the T20 series after copping a blow to the left knee last week and which he worsened while playing on Friday. SA medical staff hoping he’ll be fit for the first Test against the Aussies in a week and a half’s time.”

You can see the Tweet below

Right, AB de Villiers is out of the T20 series after copping a blow to the left knee last week and which he worsened while playing on Friday. SA medical staff hoping he'll be fit for the first Test against the Aussies in a week and half's time.

— stuart hess (@shockerhess) February 18, 2018

A lynchpin in the batting lineup, de Villiers’ absence in the squad will take a heavy toll on the Proteas batsmen who have been visibly struggling in the ODI series. Indian wrist spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav racked up a scintillating total of 33 wickets as the hosts succumbed to comprehensive defeats.

Thus it will be an uphill task in the absence of the talismanic batsman as the hosts aim to turnaround their poor fortunes.