India, Dec. 15 -- The Suryakumar Yadav-led India were dealt a body blow ahead of the fourth and fifth T20Is against South Africa as all-rounder Axar Patel was ruled out of the remainder of the five-match series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued an official statement, confirming that the 31-year-old will play no further part in the series due to illness. It has also been confirmed that Axar is currently with the team in Lucknow, the venue for the fourth T20I between India and the Proteas.

Axar will be undergoing further medical assessment in Lucknow. The Men's Senior Selection Committee have now added Shahbaz Ahmed as the replacement for Axar for the final two T20Is, set to be played in Lucknow (December 17) and Ahm...