Kohli's return to be known in second week of April

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will have to wait for at least the second week of April to get their injured skipper Virat Kohli in the squad for the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the BCCI's medical team has confirmed.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team on Friday released an update on the fitness status of some of the players at the end of India's successful international home season 2016-17.

The 28-year-old Kohli, who sustained an injury in his right shoulder during the third Test against Australia in Ranchi, will undergo rehabilitation and his return to competitive cricket will only be determined in the second week of the month.

"The Indian Captain will undergo rehabilitation after sustaining an injury to his right shoulder. His recovery will be assessed in the second week of April to determine an exact return to play date for IPL 2017," the BCCI statement read.

Kohli's RCB teammate and India opener Lokesh Rahul, who also injured his left shoulder in the first Test against the Kangaroos in Pune, will miss the IPL, alongside the Chennai duo off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and opener Murali Vijay.

"Rahul is likely to undergo surgery of his left shoulder and may not be available for IPL 2017 season during which he will have to complete his rehabilitation."

"R. Ashwin has reported groin pain and has been advised six to eight weeks of rehabilitation, which he will undergo and hence will not be available for the upcoming IPL season."

"Murali Vijay will require surgery to his right wrist and also undergo rehabilitation for his left shoulder and hence may not be able to participate in IPL 2017," the statement read.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Umesh Yadav are also doubtful starters for the cash-rich T20 league and were advised rest for two weeks.

"Jadeja and Umesh Yadav have been advised rest for two weeks to recuperate. Jadeja has issues with the spinning finger and Yadav has right hip and lower back soreness and they will recover during the initial phase when their respective teams will play their first and second match of IPL 2017," the statement said.

However, Mumbai Indians duo of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were declared fit and the duo is all set to play the IPL.

"Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been declared fit to play competitive cricket. They will be available for IPL 2017," the statement added.

--IANS

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