Injured Sreesanth to miss IPL season two

Mohali (Punjab), March 18 (IANS) Fast bowler S. Sreesanth will miss the Indian Premier League's (IPL) season two in April-May due to a stress fracture in his lower back, his IPL team Kings XI Punjab announced Wednesday.

Sreesanth is currently in Sydney receiving treatment from the Kings XI Punjab physio Patrick Farhart as part of his rehabilitation.

The bowler will instead be associated with his team as 'fan mentor and community face'.

'I intend to be with the team all along the IPL season. I will be their motivator and will cheer them through to the IPL Season 2 finals so that I can play the champions league with Kings XI Punjab. The new role that I will play in the interim for Kings Xi Punjab as a fan mentor and community face is going to be very exciting,' the bowler said in a statement.

'It is unfortunate that Sreesanth will not be participating in the season 2 due to his back injury. He is a performer and was a great asset to the team last season and his absence on the field will surely be felt, Kings XI Punjab coach Tom Moody said.

'Sreesanth is an integral part of Kings XI Punjab. The role that we have envisaged for him this year is exciting and vital. He will be pivotal to our playing squad and to our community through various initiatives which will promote the game and the franchise,' the Kings XI team co-owner Ness Wadia said.

Sreesanth had a run-in with Indian teammate Harbhajan Singh during a match here April last year with Singh slapping him in full public view on the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) ground here following a verbal exchange.