India fast bowler Mohammed Shami ruled out of Test series against Proteas

Shami has been ruled out of the two matches in the longest format, starting in Centurion on Boxing Day, after not recovering sufficiently from an ankle injury.

A media release on Saturday said that Shami "was not cleared by BCCI's medical team" and was subsequently withdrawn from the squad.

The paceman was India's highest wicket-taker at the recent ODI World Cup as the hosts made it to the final before losing to Australia.

No replacement been named by India therefore Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar and Shardul Thakur will carry the pace attack for the visitors.

In another update from the India squad, Shreyas Iyer will leave the squad after the first ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday to prepare for the Test matches that will follow.

The batter is likely to take part in an intra-squad three-day fixture in the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test.

Iyer is set to bat in the middle-order during the Test matches against the Proteas after the India selectors opted not to include the experienced Ajinkya Rahane in the squad.

India are looking to make history on the tour to South Africa as they have never won a Test series against Proteas away from home.

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