Massive Blow For South Africa! Lungi Ngidi Ruled Out Of India T20Is

The 27-year-old South Africa National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against India National Cricket Team in a major blow for the Proteas.

South Africa and India are set to lock horns in a three-match T20I series, a three-match ODI series, and a two-match Test series. The tour will start with a three-match T20I series that will be played on December 10, 12, and 14 in Durban, Gqeberha, and Johannesburg.

Next, the teams will lock horns in a three-match ODI series that will be played on December 17, 19, and 21 in Johannesburg, Gqeberha, and Paarl. After that, Men In Blue and the Proteas will play two Test matches to wrap up the series with the first Test starting on December 26 in Centurion. The second and final Test will be played from January 3 in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi was included in the T20I and Test squads for the upcoming series against India. Notably, he was included in the squad only for the first two T20Is and was rested for the third T20I along with the ODI series.

Lungi Ngidi Suffers Ankle Sprain

In an official statement issued by Cricket South Africa (CSA), it was revealed that Lungi Ngidi has suffered a left lateral ankle sprain and will miss the entire T20I series.

Due to this ankle problem, Lungi Ngidi is also doubtful for the Test series against India, but the CSA has not made any announcement regarding his availability for the red-ball series.

The 27-year-old pacer was set to play in the round of four-day matches from December 14-17 to prepare for the India Test series, but now he will be assessed by the medical and they will decide his availability for the subsequent matches.

Ngidi has been released from the squad and will return to his provincial team where he will undergo his rehabilitation with the Momentum Multiply Titans under the supervision of the Proteas medical team. As a replacement for Lungi Ngidi, CSA has included Western Province fast bowler Beuran Hendricks in the T20I squad.

Updated South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee (1st and 2ndT20Is), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen (1st and 2nd T20Is), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Beuran Hendricks, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams

South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne

India Tour Of South Africa 2023-24 Schedule:

Sunday, 10 December – 1st T20I, Durban

Tuesday, 12 December – 2nd T20I, Gqeberha

Thursday, 14 December – 3rd T20I, Johannesburg

Sunday, 17 December – 1st ODI, Johannesburg

Tuesday, 19 December – 2nd ODI, Gqeberha

Thursday, 21 December – 3rd ODI, Paarl

26 December – 30 December – 1st Test, Centurion

03 January – 07 January – 2nd Test, Cape Town