Gambhir to miss ODI series against South Africa

Gambhir will bat on the fifth day of the third Test against South Africa at the Newlands in Cape Town

India has received another blow before the start of the one-day series against South Africa as Gautam Gambhir has been ruled out of all five matches. Gambhir's opening partner Virender Sehwag, who has a shoulder injury, was already going to miss the ODI series.

Gambhir though will come out to bat on the fifth day of the third and final Test against at the Newlands in Cape Town. India need 340 runs to win a Test series in South Africa for the first time.

Gambhir, who missed the second Test against South Africa in Durban because of a hand injury, was hit on the left elbow by a Lonwabo Tsostsobe delivery in India's first innings when he was on 91. The southpaw was eventually out for 93, and didn't field during South Africa's second innings. He was seen sitting with a splint on his arm in the dressing room on Wednesday.

Harbhajan Singh, who took 7 for 120 in South Africa's second innings, told reporters at the end of the fourth day's play at the Newlands: "He (Gambhir) has rested the whole day today (Wednesday), he has been icing his arm and getting treatment. But he is going to miss out on the one-day series."

The ODI series starts with a day-night match at Durban on January 12. Murali Vijay, who was added as the 17th member of India's ODI squad, is now expected to open the innings in the five-match series.