Abhimanyu Easwaran will replace Ruturaj Gaikwad in the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, the BCCI confirmed on Saturday.

However, Easwaran will be available only for the second Test since he will lead India A in the four-day game against South Africa A, which clashes with the first Test.

The first Test begins in Centurion on Tuesday and there is a rain threat looming over the first two days. The conditions will largely influence India’s team combination as a fast and bouncy wicket could prompt the think-tank to play only one spinner.

Gaikwad was ruled out of the Test series after injuring his right ring finger during the second ODI. He will now head to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation.

Seamer Harshit Rana is out of the four-day game with a hamstring injury. Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh, Rajat Patidar and Avesh Khan have been added to the A squad. Kuldeep Yadav has been pulled out.