Gayle's IPL doubt

Groing problem could keep Gayle out of first IPL season.

Last updated: 25th April 2008

chris gayle

Gayle: Injury problem

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West Indies skipper Chris Gayle could miss the rest of the Indian Premier League as he struggles to overcome a groin injury.

Gayle signed a whopping US $800,000 deal with Kolkata Knight Riders but has so far missed their two opening matches of the IPL.

The 28-year-old picked up his groin injury during the third one-day match against Sri Lanka in St Lucia on April 15, and he is still struggling to recover fully from the problem.

Andrew Leipus, physiotherapist of the Knight Riders, told the Asian Age: "I have conducted some examinations of the injury and the process is not complete.

"Until it is complete, I cannot pass on my verdict."

Verdict

Leipus did not rule out a Gayle comeback before the end of the tournament, and he will travel with the team to Chennai on Saturday as they prepare to face Chennai Super Kings.

An official of Red Chillies Entertainment, the company that controls the IPL's Kolkata franchise, insists no final decision will be taken until the medics offer conclusive advice.

Jamaican all-rounder Gayle is one of four West Indies stars signed up for the IPL, alongside Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo.

Gayle's Knight Riders team-mates have won their opening two games of the IPL campaign and now face Mahendra Sign Dhoni and his Chennai stars on Saturday.