LONDON - Delhi Daredevils captain Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of their IPL campaign opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sharjah on Thursday as his finger injury is yet to heal completely, according to a report. Pietersen, who was bought by Daredevils for USD 1.5 million (Rs 9 crore), had sustained an injury on his right hand little finger during fielding drills with Surrey at The Oval in March.
"Kevin still a few days away so he won't be considered for tomorrow. It is obviously a setback because he's an important player in our set-up and an important player in any team. It is a difficult situation," Daredevils assistant Eric Simons was quoted as saying by 'The Guardian' newspaper.
This means that Pietersen's post-England career will have to be delayed. He was sacked in the wake of England's 0-5 Ashes whitewash in Australia last winter, which made him available for a full IPL season for the first time. Pietersen had last week played down the problem with his little finger as a "niggle".
He, however, missed DD's practice match against Hyderabad in Dubai on Monday.
It is yet not clear when Pietersen will be available. "I think we'll take it one day at a time and see how it progresses each morning but he definitely won't be considered for tomorrow," said Simons. "He has done some work with the bat, some drills but nothing too strenuous. It's obviously disappointing for him as it is for us."