NEW DELHI: Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as Axar Patel’s replacement in the Indian squad for the remaining two T20 Internationals against South Africa after the all rounder was ruled out due to illness.

Axar had also missed the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday, where wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was drafted into the playing XI. India went on to register a seven wicket win in the low scoring contest to take a 2-1 lead in the five match series.

The final two games of the series will be played in Lucknow and Ahmedabad on Wednesday and Friday respectively.

Confirming the development, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, “Team India allrounder, Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remaining two IDFC First Bank T20Is against South Africa due to illness.”

He added, “However, he is with the team in Lucknow where he will be further medically assessed. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement for the T20Is in Lucknow and Ahmedabad.”

The 31 year old Shahbaz Ahmed has played two T20 Internationals and three ODIs for India, taking five wickets across the two formats.

He earns his place in the squad following some consistent performances in domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season.

India’s updated squad for the last two T20Is:

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed.

(With PTI Inputs)