Misfiring South African opener Aiden Markram injured his wrist after he "lashed out at a solid object", ruling him out of the third and final Test against India.
Cricket South Africa revealed on Thursday that Markram has already left India and will see a specialist back home.
The opening batsman had a terrible first two Tests against India, bagging a pair in the second in Pune which the Proteas lost by an innings.
With the Proteas 2-0 down and facing a series sweep, Markram called his actions "unacceptable".
"It's sad to be going home on this note and I completely understand what I've done wrong and take full accountability for it," the right-hand batsman said in a statement.
"It's unacceptable in a Proteas environment and to let the team down is what hurts me the most.
"We understand in sport that emotions run high and sometimes the frustration gets the better of you as it did for me, but like I said, it's no excuse. I've taken full responsibility for it, I have apologised to the team and hopefully I can make it up to them and the people of South Africa soon."
The incident happened after Markram was out for his second duck of the Pune Test. He failed to review the lbw decision in the second innings, though replays suggested the ball would have missed the stumps.
The third Test starts on Saturday and the visitors will have to make do with a makeshift opening batsman as there is no other specialist on tour.
It is the second such instance this week after Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the opening Pakistan Test as he fractured his right hand while punching a wall following his dismissal in a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania.
