India suffered a setback ahead of their one-day series against South Africa with Virender Sehwag being ruled out of the first match in Johannesburg on Sunday with a finger injury.

The Indian vice-captain suffered a gash in the right ring finger before the start of the warmup game in Benoni in Thursday and needed four stitches to close the wound.

The Delhi batsman sat out the tour opener which India lost by 37 runs.

The injury itself was not serious but it might take at least two days for the dressing to be removed.

"His (Sehwag's) injury is not serious as such but the stitches would come off only on Sunday morning and we hope the problem doesn't extend beyond the first game," coach Greg Chappell said after the warmup game in Benoni.

Sehwag sustained the injury while going for a high catch during practice before the start of the tour match.