MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have suffered a big blow ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of the tournament because of side-strain injury.
Ngidi will now need four weeks of rest which will be followed by a rehab programme to make sure he is fully fit for the World Cup in England.
“Lungi felt discomfort while bowling during the last ODI against Sri Lanka at Newlands and immediately stopped bowling,” South Africa team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee said.
“Further scans revealed a Grade II muscle strain which will need up to four weeks of rest followed by a rehab programme leading up to the World Cup.”
For Ngidi, the 12th season of IPL would have been his second with the defending champions CSK. He was bought for INR 50 lakh before the eleventh season, taking 11 wickets in seven games for CSK, at an economy of 6 and a strike-rate of less than 15.
Super Kings is yet to announce a replacement for Ngidi.
David Willey, the bowling allrounder from England, is the overseas backup seamer CSK have at the moment. The Indian contingent includes Shardul Thakur, Mohit Sharma, Deepak Chahar and KM Asif.
