Proteas kingpin Rabada ruled out of IPL, still expected to make T20 World Cup

Kagiso Rabada's premature departure from the Indian Premier League (IPL) might be a nervous jolt to the Proteas' system in their build-up to the T20 World Cup, but his apparent leg injury won't affect his availability for the showpiece tournament in the USA and Caribbean next month.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday said the team's bowling kingpin would miss the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Punjab Kings due to a "lower limb soft tissue infection", which suggests an acute dose of antibiotics and rest will be required.

The 28-year-old has already sought specialist advice and "is being closely monitored by CSA's medical team".

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The better news is that team management don't expect the current setback to prove detrimental to his preparation for the tournament.

Rabada has recently been the unwitting fulcrum in widespread criticism over the composition of head coach Rob Walter's group for the trip as he's the only black African player in the 15-man squad, along with five other generic black (according to CSA's lingo).

Lungi Ngidi is a travelling reserve for the tournament.

Rabada had been typically busy with the Kings in the IPL without exactly setting the scene alight.

He took 11 wickets from 11 matches at an economy of 8.85, not great, but in keeping with the batting bonanza that's been on offer at this year's edition.

South Africa squad - ICC Men's T20 World Cup:

Aiden Markram (captain, Titans), Ottniel Baartman (Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), David Miller