Pandey ruled out of IPL, Karthik replaces him in ICC Champions Trophy (Lead, Correcting intro)

New Delhi/Kolkata May 19 (IANS) India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) middle-order batsman Manish Pandey was on Thursday ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC Champions Trophy starting June 1.

Seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik was called as a replacement for the injured Pandey.

The All-India Senior Selection Committee have named middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik as replacement for Manish Pandey who sustained a left side strain during a practice session in the India team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement.

Karthik who played for the Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) amassed 361 runs which included two brilliant half centuries.

Pandey had missed Wednesday s eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to the injury and would not be a part of the men in purple Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians on Friday dealing a body blow to Gautam Gambhir s wards.

Pandey was KKR s mainstay in the otherwise fragile middle-order scoring 396 runs in 13 innings at an average of 49.50. The 7-year old has been brilliant on the field too for the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned side.

@im_manishpandey has unfortunately been injured & is ruled out of @IPL 2017 @BCCI has been informed of his injury. Wish him speedy recovery KKR tweeted.

KKR would now have to depend on off-colour vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav to deliver the goods against a side who they have a dismal record with.

It is a blow for Virat Kohli s India too as Pandey was in form and seemed to be the understudy to Kedar Jadhav.

India play arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4 to begin their defense of the Champions Trophy.

--IANS
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