The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday (December 23) named uncapped Bengal opener Abminanyu Easwaran as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s replacement for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, starting on December 26 in Centurion.

Gaikwad picked up a finger injury during the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha on December 19. As a result, the right-hander did not feature in the third ODI and now he will check into the NCA to manage his injury.

“Mr Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered an injury to his right ring finger while fielding in the second ODI against South Africa in Gqeberha. He underwent scans, and following an expert consultation, the BCCI Medical Team has ruled him out of the remainder of the tour. He will be reporting to the NCA for further management of his injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement,” the board said in a media release.

BCCI’s official release also unveiled India A’s updated squad for the two four-day matches against South Africa A, citing that pacer Harshit Rana won’t be able to take part due to hamstring injury while the likes of Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Avesh Khan and Rinku Singh have been added to the squad. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad.

“Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the four-day match against South Africa A starting on 26th December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni owing to a hamstring injury. The Selection Committee has added Mr Rajat Patidar, Mr Sarfaraz Khan, Mr Avesh Khan and Mr Rinku Singh to India A’s squad while Mr Kuldeep Yadav has been released from the squad,” the statement added.

India A’s updated squad for four-day match against SA A: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Navdeep Saini, Akash Deep, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Manav Suthar, Rinku Singh