Tendulkar ruled out of the ODI series

India's joy after the 1-run win at the Wanderers was short-lived as Sachin Tendulkar is ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against South Africa and is likely to return home.

Tendulkar, who was dismissed by Johan Botha for 24 in the first innings, did not take the field during South Africa's chase. The reason for Tendulkar's absence was that he had injured his hamstring, a worrying development with the World Cup starting in South Asia on February 19.

"Tendulkar will not take further part in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a press release.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel will be flown in as his replacement for the rest of the five-match series, currently tied 1-1.

Following injuries to Gambhir and Sehwag, Tendulkar's absence now means that India have only Murali Vijay at the opening slot at the present time.

Speaking about this situation, Indian skipper MS Dhoni said: "We will have to open with someone. I don't know what's happening, whether we are getting someone from India [as replacement] or not. The visa will take three days at least, he will take the next flight, and by the time he comes here we will have just one match left. I don't know who will open."

Vijay has not been in the best of forms in the recent times but Dhoni believed that it was only a matter of time before Vijay hit form.

"Vijay is looking a bit out of form, but he's working well in the nets. Form is just a matter of a few strokes. Once you get those few strokes, all of a sudden you feel back in form," said Dhoni.