Vernon Philander out of South Africa's tour of India

South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander has been ruled out of the remainder of his team's tour of India and is a doubt for the home series against England.

Philander tore ligaments in his left ankle during practice in Bengaluru on Thursday, two days before the second Test, and has been replaced in the Proteas squad by Kyle Abbott.

The 30-year-old now faces a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the opening Test against England which starts in Durban on December 26.

"Vernon will return to Cape Town this weekend to be assessed by one of Cricket South Africa's specialists," said team manager Mohammed Moosajee.

"It is still too early to tell but he will be out for a period of at least six to eight weeks. The first Test against England is six weeks away so it will be a tight schedule to get him ready and rehabilitated."

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Abbott, who will join the squad on Friday, played the last of his three Tests against West Indies in December 2014. He has taken 13 wickets at an average of 19.84.

All-rounder JP Duminy and fast bowler Morne Morkel have recovered from the injuries that kept them out of the first Test against India, which the tourists lost by 108 runs, but paceman Dale Steyn needs a fitness check on a groin problem on Friday ahead of the second match in the four-Test series.