Stuart Broad ruled out of IPL

In what will be a big blow for Kings XI Punjab, Stuart Broad will not be able to take part in this year's IPL after being ruled out of action for three weeks.

The paceman is currently recuperating from a right calf strain, which he sustained last month during England's tour of Sri Lanka.

Broad was hurt in England's loss to Sri Lanka in the first test in Galle last month. he subsequently missed the second and final match of the series, flying back home immediately for treatment.

Stuart Broad's IPL debut has been postponed one more year. Pic/AFP

The England and Wales Cricket Board has said that Broad "will be assessed regularly over the coming weeks with a view to returning to cricket with (English county side) Nottinghamshire in early May."

Broad tweeted: "Frustrated not to be able to go play in the IPL but important I get 100% fit for what is a massive summer in England. Thxs for the messages."

Broad's injury means this is the second successive season that he will miss IPL, after Kings XI paid $400,00 for his services in 2011. The Punjab franchise are expected to annoucne a replacement soon.

This isn't the first time injury has hampered Broad's cricketing career. Earlier in the Sri Lanka tour, he had sprained his other ankle. He had also had to miss the 2010-11 Ashes series after two Tests due to a stomach muscle problem. The same ailment ultimately forced him to miss the World Cup.

He then suffered a shoulder injury that prevented him from captaining the side in two Twenty20 matches against West Indies last September and ruled him out of the ODI series in India that followed.u00a0