JP Duminy ruled out of last two India ODIs

JP Duminy has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing ODI series between South Africa and India after cutting his hand during the third match in Rajkot. Top-order batsman Dean Elgar has been called up as a replacement but Duminy, who will need between two and three weeks to recover, will remain with the squad in India to receive treatment. South Africa's team management aims to have Duminy fit for the first Test, which starts on November 5.

Duminy sustained the injury after a ball was hit back to him while he was bowling. He fielded in his follow-through and showed immediate signs of discomfort, but remained on the field. After the match, it was revealed that the injury was more serious than thought and that Duminy would not be able to play any further part in the series.

The news comes as a blow to South Africa, who have used Duminy to share the fifth-bowler duties with Farhaan Behardien, and have relied on him to provide a strong finish with the bat. South Africa will hope his replacement, Elgar, can do the same.

Elgar, the regular Test opener, has only played five ODIs for South Africa, all in 2012, but has been in good form in the domestic one-day competition which has just started. He scored 57 and 86 in the two innings he batted in, and has also been contributing with his left-arm spin, which South Africa may call on as well, especially if they stick to their strategy of playing only one specialist spinner in the starting XI.

If Elgar plays, he would likely bat higher than Duminy's No.6 or No.7 position, which could mean that David Miller, who opened the batting in the third ODI, is pushed back down the order to his regular finisher's role. South Africa have another reserve batsman in the squad, uncapped player Khaya Zondo, who could make his debut in the next two games.

While India have already been hit with one injury concern - R Ashwin was ruled out of the ODI series after one match with a side strain - Duminy's injury is South Africa's first serious worry. The visitors will also be monitoring Morne Morkel, who complained of a sore quad during the third ODI but was able to continue bowling.