Skipper for South Africa T20Is, Rahul was ruled out of the series owing to a right groin injury on June 8. Rahul then reported to the NCA where the medical team assessed the batter would not play the rescheduled fifth Test against England.
Karthik had smashed 55 runs off 27 balls in the fourth T20I against South Africa in Rajkot. His knock helped Team India reach a defendable score of 169.
With the T20I series tied at 2-2 the fifth and final match between India and South Africa here at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru becomes a virtual final.
India are eyeing their first T20I series win against Proteas on home soil while for the visitors it will be important to keep intact their great record against India in their backyard.