Umesh Yadav to replace injured Praveen Kumar for T20

Young Vidarbha pace bowler Umesh Yadav, who had an impressive Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Daredevils, will join the India squad at the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean, replacing Praveen Kumar who is returning home with a side strain.

Announcing this here Thursday night, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India N. Srinivasan stated that the national selectors picked Yadav as replacement for Praveen Kumar and he will leave for the West Indies Friday.

Yadav, who was not among the list of probables for the World Cup, generated lively pace during the IPL and is seen to have great potential.

Praveen, who figured in both the group matches against Afghanistan and South Africa, bowled only one over against the Proteas. He was injured Thursday during a practice session at the 3Ws Oval in Bridgetown. An MRI showed a tear in the abdomen muscle.