Pravin Kumar out of World T20, Yadav as replacement

List of Asian players who have been injured in last one month got longer with Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar being ruled out of the remainder of the World Twenty20. He suffered an abdominal muscle tear during a practice session at the Oval in Barbados this week and an MRI scan confirmed the extent of the problem.

The Bangalore bowler played in both of India's group matches in St Lucia, but bowled just one over in Sunday's victory over South Africa.

Delhi Daredevils seamer Umesh Yadav has been selected as Kumar's replacement, and will fly to the Caribbean on Friday. He was not part of India's initial 30 probables for the World Twenty20 but that is not expected to prevent his inclusion being ratified by the tournament's technical committee.

Yadav took six wickets in the seven IPL matches in which he played at an average of 30, and improved markedly under the watch of Delhi's assistant coach Eric Simons, who is also India's bowling coach.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary N Srinivasan said: "Praveen Kumar has sustained a side strain and has been ruled out of the ICC World T20 2010 as a result. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked Umesh Yadav as his replacement."

The 22-year-old was at his home on the outskirts of Nagpur on Thursday when he got the call from the Vidarbha Cricket Association, and admits it came as a surprise.

"I am shocked, I don't know what to say. Performance in the IPL did boost my confidence, but selection in the national team never crossed my mind. And that, too, for a World Cup." said Yadav.

"I really find it hard to believe. But I have been enjoying my bowling, especially in the last year, so it is bearing the fruits now."

"To be honest, this came as a bolt from the blue. This is a dream come true for me," he told the Times of India.

In the meantime Vinay Kumar could make his international debut on Friday against Australia as a replacement for his injured namesake.

Although Australia are expecting a trial by spin, the Kensington Oval pitch has had pace and bounce which is likely to encourage India to include three seamers in their side, with Vinay joining Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan in the fast bowling ranks.

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