South Africa speedster Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a shoulder injury.
The 25-year-old fast bowler was set to join the Kolkata Knight Riders, who had purchased him for INR 20 lakhs at the auction in December last year. Nortje recently made his international debut, playing four ODIs against Sri Lanka earlier this month.
On Wednesday, however, Nortje confirmed the news of his injury through Twitter.
“Unfortunately due to a shoulder injury I’ve had to pull out of the @IPL. I wish @KKRiders all the best and bring the trophy back home!! #KKRHaiTaiyaar,” he wrote.
Unfortunately due to a shoulder injury I've had to pull out of the @IPL. I wish @KKRiders all the best and bring the trophy back home!! #KKRHaiTaiyaar
— Anrich Nortje (@AnrichNortje02) March 20, 2019
It is not quite clear at this stage exactly how serious the injury is, but the Proteas will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely.
Meanwhile, KKR, who are now left with a 20-member squad, will have to find a replacement for Nortje to add some heft to their rapidly dwindling fast-bowling resource.
They have already called up Sandeep Warrier and KC Cariappa as replacements for Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.
The 12th edition of the IPL gets underway this weekend – 23rd March.
