The all-rounder Axar Patel, who missed the third T20I due to illness, has been ruled out of the ongoing series of the South Africa tour of India 2025.

Meanwhile, Bengal cricketer Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as the replacement. Shahbaz Ahmed has played three ODIs and two T20Is for India, but his last appearance for the Men in Blues was against Afghanistan in Hangzhou during the Asian Games in September 2023.

Axar Patel played the first two T20I matches for India against the Proteas and picked up a total of three wickets.

He finished with figures of 2/7 in the series opener in addition to scoring 23 runs with bat and second T20I played on December 11 in Mullanpur, he added 21 runs at No.3 in the run chase.

“Team India all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two IDFC First Bank T20Is against South Africa due to illness. However, he is with the team in Lucknow, where he will be further medically assessed,” the release said.

“The Men’s Selection Committee has named Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement for the T20Is in Lucknow and Ahmedabad,” the release added.

Kuldeep Yadav has been included in India’s playing 11 for the third T20I against South Africa and 31-year old spinner picked up two wickets.

The hosts secured 2-1 lead in the five match T20I series of the South Africa tour of India 2025 and will be aiming to extend the lead the win the series during the fourth game at Lucknow.

The fourth T20I match match will be played on December 17 at Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground, Ardonamau.

India’s Updated Squad for last two T20Is: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington SundarShahbaz Ahmed

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