England batsman Kevin Pietersen will skip the Indian Premier League to undergo a hernia operation after the ongoing World Cup in the sub-continent.
The World Cup ends with on April 2 and the IPL will start six days later.
Pietersen, contracted with Royal Challengers Bangalore, is expected to be fit only in May when England play a Test series against Sri Lanka at the end of that month.
"The nature of the injury is such that it can be managed for the duration of the World Cup," England team doctor Nick Peirce said.
Pietersen said he is disappointed about missing the IPL. "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 was quoted as saying by The Independent.
"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.
Photograph: Getty Images
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