The Indian team, led Rahul Dravid, was leaving later Monday for South Africa to play five limited-overs internationals and three Test matches.

However, Singh will be considered for the 2007 World Cup to be played in the Caribbean, the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Niranjan Shah, a cricket board official, as saying.

Shah said Singh was ruled out of the South Africa tour after a fitness test Monday.

His injury would be reassessed after eight weeks to decide whether his left knee required surgery, Shah said.

Singh injured ligaments in his left knee while training for a match against top-ranked Australia last month in the Champions Trophy tournament.