Injury puts Bravo, Bairstow out of Champions League

The Champions League [ Images ] Twenty20 [ Images ] suffered a blow on Tuesday when international players Dwayne Bravo [ Images ] and Jonny Bairstow were ruled out because of injuries.

Bravo, who was part of the West Indies' [ Images ] World T20-winning team on Sunday, has a thigh strain and will be replaced in the Chennai Super Kings [ Images ] squad by Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara [ Images ].

Chennai were also forced to make another change because of injury, with left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati [ Images ] coming in for Anirudh Srikkanth, who will be out of action for six weeks following a fracture to his right clavicle, after a fall during in a domestic cricket match last week.

England [ Images ] international Bairstow, who also played in the World T20, also won't be turning out for Yorkshire due to a wrist injury sustained at the World T20. The 18-year-old left-hand wicketkeeper-batsman Ed Wilson has been called up as Bairstow's replacement.

There is another change for Sri Lankan Premier League champions UVA Next with batsman Upul Tharanga ruled out due to a broken finger. His place in the squad is taken by former Sri Lankan under-19 captain Ashan Priyanjana.

Earlier, South Africa's [ Images ] limited-overs captain AB de Villiers [ Images ] was ruled out of the tournament with a double injury. His compatriot, pace bowler Marchant de Lange is also unavailable because of a lower-back stress fracture.

Delhi Daredevils [ Images ] also have a replacement, with Aavishkar Salvi replacing Varun Aaron after the 22-year-old India [ Images ] international was advised he will need to have a tonsillectomy.

The T20 tournament, which features the top clubs from around the world, begins in South Africa on October 9 with the qualifying matches. The main tournament begins on Saturday, October 13, with local favourties Titans taking on Perth Scorchers from Australia [ Images ] at 1700 IST.

In the day's second match, IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders [ Images ] take on Delhi Daredevils at 2100 IST.

Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com