Kagiso Rabada sidelined for three months with injury

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada faces up to three months on the sidelines because of a lower-back stress reaction. He will not be able to play IPL 2018, as a result, for Delhi Daredevils who had bought him for INR 4.2 crores (USD 646,000) at the player auction in January.

Rabada had complained of tightness and discomfort during the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg, and bowled only eight overs in Australia's second innings. A subsequent scan revealed the injury, according to South Africa's team manager Mohammad Moosajee. Rabada was adjudged Play of the Series for taking 23 wickets in four Tests.

"Kagiso has been diagnosed with a lower-back stress reaction which will rule him out of cricket action for up to three months," Moosajee said. "He will need a month's break from all physical activity before commencing with a rehabilitation programme to get him ready for the series against Sri Lanka in July."

South Africa's next international engagement is a tour of Sri Lanka in July to play two Tests, five ODIs and a T20I.