MUMBAI: Injured skipper KL Rahul has been ruled out of India's T20I series against South Africa. Apart from Rahul, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has also been ruled out with an injury.

In Rahul's absence, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will lead India in the five-match T20I series. Hardik Pandya has been appointed as vice-captain.

According to the BCCI, Rahul will miss out due to a right groin injury while Yadav will miss out on the series after getting hit on his right hand while batting in the nets last evening. Both the cricketers will now report to the NCA where the medical team will assess them further and decide on the future course of treatment. India is set to take on South Africa in the first T20I match of the five-match home series at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Team India is chasing history during the bilateral series - should they win the opening match, they will achieve an all-time record of winning 13 consecutive T20Is. The team is also preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup later in Australia this year.