South Africa in shock! Kwena Maphaka, Tony de Zorzi ruled out of India T20Is

South Africa have suffered massive injury concerns as a young pacer and an all-format middle-order batter have been ruled out from the upcoming T20I series. Alongside them, Nandre Burger will also miss out on the ODI series decider against India.

After winning the Test series in India, the Proteas seemed high on their confidence as they arrived for the white-ball series. Despite a strong fightback, they lost the opening ODI in Ranchi but came back stronger to level the series in Raipur. Now the final ODI of the series in Vishakhapatnam will be the deciding factor between the two giants of world cricket.

India, on the other hand, would also be eyeing their first victory in a bilateral ODI series since the ICC Champions Trophy triumph. The only ODI series they played since then was against Australia last month, which ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat for the Men in Blue, and hence they would be willing to bounce back this time.

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South Africa suffers injury issues

The latest news from the South African dressing room brings sad news for the Proteas fans, as a few of their cricketers have been ruled out following injuries. Left-handed batter Tony de Zorzi, who limped off the field in the last game, has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series and the third match in Vishakhapatnam.

Other than the left-handed batter, Nandre Burger will also miss the final ODI of the series, and Kwena Maphaka, the young left-arm pace sensation, will miss the T20I series following a similar injury to his hamstring as that of Tony de Zorzi.

Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and batter Tony de Zorzi have been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against India due to hamstring injuries. Along with de Zorzi, Nandre Burger will also miss today's ODI series decider #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/r0EHydMlQa

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 6, 2025

South Africa brings back Ryan Rickelton and Ottneil Baartman for Vishakhapatnam

For the first time in this series and after a long wait of 20 matches, India finally won the toss in Vishakhapatnam. KL Rahul opted to bowl first and said that India are just looking forward to having a go with the ball.

South Africa has replaced the injured batter Tony de Zorzi with Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton has not been regular in the Protea top order ever since Quinton de Kock made his return to white-ball international cricket after reversing his retirement.

On the other hand, Ottneil Baartman, who played for the Proteas in the opening ODI, was dropped for the second ODI but has returned to replace injured Nandre Burger in the playing XI for the series decider on the Eastern coast.

India brings in an additional batter for the series decider in Vishakhapatnam

After winning the toss, the Indian skipper, KL Rahul, revealed the only change India made in their playing XI in the series. Washington Sundar has been dropped for the final ODI, and instead, Tilak Varma has been handed a place in the ODI XI.

Washington Sundar could not justify his role in the XI, as he was in no way effective with both bat and ball and was a lousy pick at no. 5. In Axar Patel's absence, Sundar made it to the XI, but now he has been replaced with a specialist batter.

India has, however, not considered giving Rishabh Pant a chance to be back in white-ball cricket, though he continues to be the second-choice keeper in the side.

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