Kevin Pietersen suffering from hernia injury, ruled out of IPL
Star batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the Indian Premier League as he will undergo a hernia operation after completing his national duty in England's World Cup campaign.
Pietersen, who was bought by Deccan Chargers for USD 6,50,000 in the IPL auction in January, said he was extremely disappointed to miss the twenty20 extravaganza but hoped to play a "significant role" in England's World Cup campaign.
"I'm obviously extremely disappointed to have picked up this hernia injury but I've been able to manage it so far throughout the World Cup and will continue to do so under the guidance of the England team's medical staff," Pietersen said.
"It will no doubt impact my preparation but careful management should see me still play a significant role in the team's campaign," he added.
"Representing England in a World Cup is something I've been looking forward to for the past four years and I'm excited by the prospect of helping the team achieve something special here on the sub-continent against the best teams in the world.
"I'm bitterly disappointed to be missing the IPL but can take comfort from the fact that I will be fit for the start of a very exciting English summer against Sri Lanka and India," he said in the statement.
The England medical staff first identified Pietersen's injury upon his return home early last month from the recent ODI series in Australia and "the symptoms are worsening", an England and Wales Cricket Board statement said.
"Pietersen will undergo surgery for a hernia following his participation in the World Cup currently underway on the the sub-continent," the statement said.
"While the injury will continue to be managed throughout the World Cup and he will continue to participate in the tournament, he will undergo surgery following the conclusion of England's World Cup campaign," it said.
"Due to this scheduled course of treatment, and a rehabilitation period of approximately six weeks, Pietersen will be ruled out of the Indian Premier League which immediately follows the World Cup," it added.
The right-handed batsman is, however, expected to make a full recovery in time for England's first summer Test against Sri Lanka on May 26.
ECB chief medical officer Dr Nicholas Peirce said, "Following an MRI scan on return to the UK after the Australia ODI series a hernia was first confirmed. The nature of the injury is such that it can be managed for the duration of the World Cup.
"As the symptoms have been getting worse, a decision has now been made that the appropriate course of action is for Kevin to undergo a routine operation upon his return to the UK after England's World Cup campaign.
"Kevin will continue to be managed throughout the World Cup and we would expect him to make a full recovery following a recuperation and rehabilitation period of approximately six weeks after the operation."
