Fractured rib puts Praveen Kumar out of Australia Tests

Praveeen Kumar has been ruled out of India's upcoming Test series against Australia.

The pacer underwent a scan on Monday and was found to have a fractured rib.

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According to a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he is expected to take up to six weeks to recover, and, as such, is also out of the ongoing series against the West Indies.

"He is expected to recover in 5-6 weeks, and has therefore been ruled out of the ODI series against the West Indies, as well as the Test series in Australia that follows," read the statement from BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale.

His replacement will be named on Monday, December 5, when the selectors meet to announce the squad for the final two ODIs against the West Indies.

It is imperative here to mention that Kumar had already been sidelined for the opening three matches of the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies.

Praveen, who has 27 wickets in six Tests and 69 scalps from 61 ODIs, has had quite a few injury problems this season. The 25-year-old was ruled out of the World Cup because of a tennis-elbow injury. He also sustained an ankle injury during the Test series in England in July-August.