Haddin ruled out of IPL with finger injury

Brad Haddin, the Australia and Kolkata Knight Riders wicketkeeper, has been ruled out of the rest of the IPL with a fractured finger. Haddin had picked up the injury during Australia's recent one-day series in Bangladesh, and though he played one IPL game after that tour, an MRI on Thursday revealed that his finger hadn't yet healed.

Kolkata can replace Haddin but they have to do it before their next game as the IPL rules state replacements can only be brought in for injured players before a franchise has played eight games. Kolkata's eighth match is against Kings XI Punjab on Saturday. Their coach Dav Whatmore confirmed Haddin's injury and said a replacement would be announced in due course.

The rules also specify that Haddin's replacement must be someone with a base price less than the $325,000 he fetched at the auction.

Kolkata have used three different wicketkeepers in the tournament already, all of whom have opened the batting. Manvinder Bisla played five games as an opener, while Shreevats Goswami was drafted in for the game against Delhi Daredevils.

Haddin came into the IPL in good form, having been Australia's highest run-getter in the World Cup.

Source : www.espncricinfo.com