Uncapped Haryana wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra has been named as standby following the withdrawal of Sameer Dighe from India's tour of South Africa.
"We have got Ratra in mind. We are keeping him as standby," Chief of selectors Chandu Borde said from Pune on Saturday.
Dighe, the first-choice wicketkeeper for the three-Test series, suffered back spasms on the morning of the first Test in Bloemfontein last Saturday. He was replaced by debutant Deep Dasgupta as India lost the first Test by nine wickets. Dighe will return home without having played a game after doctors told him he might not recover for the remainder of the series.
Ratra played a key role in India's under-19 world cup triumph in Sri Lanka early last year.
"We will send him only if the team management asks, in case of an emergency," Borde added.
India were starting a four-day game against South Africa A on Saturday, before the second Test in Port Elizabeth starting on November 16. The final Test begins in Centurion on November 23.
Bureau Report