Barbados: India’s World Cup campaign suffered a setback on Thursday, with fast bowler Praveen Kumar being ruled out of the remainder of the World T20 with a abdominal injury.

Praveen had sustained the injury during a practice session at the 3Ws Oval and the Indian team management sent him for an MRI, which revealed a tear in abdomen muscle.

His injury has occurred just a day before India play their first Super Eight match with Australia. Although Praveen had bowled just one over against South Africa in India’s last league game, India will miss the swing and bounce that he generates, especially since they are playing their next few matches in Barbados, a pitch which supports fast bowlers.

Vidarbha and Delhi Daredevils fast bowler, Umesh Yadav, has been named the replacement for Praveen Kumar. The 22-year-old Yadav had impressed everyone with his brisk pace in the Indian Premier League. He will be leaving for the Caribbean on Friday from Mumbai.

Yadav, who picked six wickets at 30 in the seven IPL matches, acknowledged the help he got from Eric Simons, the Daredevils’ bowling coach, who is also the Indian team’s bowling consultant. “I am completely surprised. And that, too, for a World Cup, I really find it hard to believe,” Yadav told Cricinfo from the Nagpur airport. “But I have been enjoying my bowling, especially in the last year, so it is bearing the fruits now.”

Yadav was not part of the pool of 30 probables but needs a nod from the tournament’s technical committee, which should be a formality.

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