India seek Sreesanth as replacement for injured Agarkar

Ahmedabad, Oct 27 (UNI) India has asked for S Sreesanth as replacement for pace bowler Ajit Agarkar who has been ruled out of India's group stage match against Australia on October 29 in Mohali - a virtual quarter-final - because of a hairline fracture he sustained on his left thumb.

The match is set to be a decider for the fourth berth in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy and the Indian board has approached the ICC for permission to replace Agarkar with Sreesanth.

Agarkar apparently suffered the injury trying to stop a full-blooded drive from Runako Morton during yesterday's game. With Munaf Patel also doubtful due to a wrist sprain and RP Singh clearly out of his depth, India face a serious predicament ahead of the Australia game.

The approval to replace Agarkar with Sreesanth will be given by the ICC's Technical Committee. The ICC rules clearly prohibit replacement in the course of the tournament if the player concerned had a recent history of injuries. But a replacement is allowed if the injury to the player concerned was totally unforeseen. Agarkar's injury obviously falls in this category, hence permission for the replacement is likely to be forthcoming.

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