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India who are already 2-0 down in the 5-One Day Series against South Africa have been hit back by a major set back. Rahul Dravid, the Skipper has been ruled out for at least the last two One Dayers and the Twenty20 International due to a fractured finger. VVS Laxman will be flown in as the replacement and Virender Sehwag will lead the side in Dravid’s absence.
Dravid had taken a stinging blow to his finger while attempting a slip catch offered by Shaun Pollock off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh. The Indian Skipper couldn’t bat freely probably because of the discomfort in his finger as he crawled to a 103-ball 63 when his side had required almost six runs an over. Virender Sehwag who himself had a hand injury on this tour will take on the captaincy mantle. The replacement player, VVS Laxman making it in the playing eleven for the fourth ODI at Port Elizabeth is an uncertainty but he should be playing the final one at Centurion.
Rahul Dravid will stay back in South Africa for treatment and it is a big upset for the Indians. Along with Tendulkar, he looked as the only batsman who could survive the pace and bounce of the South African pacers. The fourth ODI at Port Elizabeth is on the 29th and is a Day Night affair. This match is followed with India’s Debut Twenty 20 International to be played at Johannesburg.