IND vs SA, 3rd Test: Opener Aiden Markram RULED Out Of Ranchi Test Due To Wrist Injury

South African opener Aiden Markram on Thursday was ruled out of the third Test against India in Ranchi due to an injury to his right wrist.

"A CT scan of Aiden Markram's wrist showed a fracture involving the wrist bones. The medical team has, therefore, ruled him out of the next Test match against India," said Team doctor, Hashendra Ramjee in an official statement.

"Arrangements have been made for him to see a specialist on his return to South Africa for further management of the injury," he added. Markram has already left for South Africa and a replacement is yet to be named. The only two reserve batsmen on the bench - Zubyr Hamza and Heinrich Klaasen - are both middle-order batsmen. An out-of-sorts Temba Bavuma might be pushed to the top of the order, where he has batted in just one out of the 38 Tests he's played thus far - coincidentally in India. Markram, who had been struggling with the willow, scoring only 11 runs in the two tests played against India, felt he was letting his team down.

"It's sad to be going home on this note and I completely understand what I've done wrong and take full accountability for it. It's unacceptable in a Proteas environment and to let the team down is what hurts me the most," said Markram

Hosts India has a unassailable 2-0 lead over South Africa in the three-match Test series after inflicting crushing defeats over the Proteas in the first two Tests at Visakhapatman and Pune. The third Test match between both the teams is scheduled to be played at Ranchi from October 19.