Quinton de Kock will miss part of the India paternity leave test series

Quinton de Kock will miss at least the third test between South Africa and India as he awaits the birth of his first child. De Kock's wife, Sasha, is expected to be born in early January, which could exclude him from both the second and third tests, especially given the biobubble conditions.

South Africa picker Victor Mpitsang confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he expects de Kock to "miss the final test," which will leave the team without their wicketkeeper and main lower middle batsman. Should de Kock have to leave the bladder before the final test, for example during the second test, it is unlikely that he will be able to return to the biosafe environment in time for the final test. One of Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton will play for de Kock.

Verreynne made his debut on the South Africa tour of the West Indies in June in the absence of injured vice-captain Temba Bavuma. He scored 39 runs in three innings. Since then, he has played three top-notch games for Western Province and scored for half a century. Capless Rickelton has had a better run lately. He's # 10 on the top-tier batting charts this season and has scored two centuries in his last three games, taking the Lions to the top of the scoreboard.

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The last time de Kock missed a game in South Africa was at the T20 World Cup, where he was eliminated from the second group game after refusing to comply with an order from the CSA board to take his knee. De Kock subsequently contracted a knee in the remaining three games. CSA has since confirmed that the national team will go on their knees all summer. This series of tests will mark the first time South Africa's Red Ball team have gone to their knees together after the board gave players the choice of kneeling, raising a fist or standing at attention as they tour the West Indies .