Finger injury rules out Dravid

Rahul Dravid will not play in the last two ODIs against South Africa after sustaining a finger injury in the slips.

He is suffering from a fracture on the middle finger of his right hand picked up during yesterday’s defeat for India. It is hoped that he will be fit to lead India in the upcoming Test series though. For now, leadership of the team has been passed to Virender Sehwag, while VVS Laxman has joined the squad in Dravid’s place.

India are 2-0 down in the series with two to play, and the lack of Dravid will be a huge blow for them, especially considering how the batsmen have struggled so far in the series. Laxman’s experience may be an asset though.

South Africa have also made changes to their squad, Ashwell Prince has been recalled to the squad at the expense of Boeta Dippenaar. Chairman of Selectors Haroon Largat said of the move: “We have brought Ashwell back to give us experienced options should we wish to change our top order batting.”