South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will be absent from the upcoming three-match home Twenty20 International series against India due to a left lateral ankle sprain. Ngidi is currently working on regaining fitness for the opening Test of the tour, which is scheduled to start on December 26. In Ngidi’s absence, Beuran Hendricks will take his place in the T20I squad. Hendricks, who last played in the T20 format for South Africa against Ireland in July 2021, will be a replacement for Ngidi. The 33-year-old Hendricks will compete for the specialist seamer role in the team with the less experienced Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, and Lizaad Williams. South Africa has decided to rest premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for the series. India’s tour of South Africa will kick off with three T20 matches scheduled in Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Johannesburg. The format will then switch to three One Day Internationals from December 17-21, played in the latter two venues and Paarl. The first Test between the two teams will start on December 26 in Pretoria, followed by the second Test on January 3 at Newlands in Cape Town.