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Pietersen ruled out of IPL

Former England batsman posts update on social media revealing the extent of his injury

Rising Pune Supergiants batsman Kevin Pietersen confirmed on social media he will miss the remainder of the Indian Premier League season with a torn calf.

Pietersen sustained the injury taking off for a quick single early in Pune's run chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday.

After a quick assessment on the side of the pitch, the Pune medical staff chaired Pietersen off the field. He would take no further part in the match.

The 35-year-old posted a picture of him being carried off on social media network Instagram on Saturday confirming he would take no further part in the tournament and would be sidelined until November.

"Over & out, India! Injuries are all part of the job! Horrible tear in my calf! Sad to be leaving a really great bunch of boys but looking forward to being back with my family! London bound for a summer off! Vacation till November! Bye for now! Lots of love, KP xxx," Pietersen wrote on the picture's caption.

While the loss of Pietersen's experience and batting prowess would be a blow to any side, Pune captain MS Dhoni said after the 13-run loss to Bangalore the injury to his star batsman could help with the balance of the team.

Dhoni said he was considering dropping one of Pietersen or Steve Smith to make way for an overseas allrounder to bolster Pune's bowling stocks.

"We're playing with six bowlers, yet our death bowling isn't great," Dhoni said. "KP's injury can be a blessing in disguise. 

"Maybe we can look to bring in Albie Morkel or Mitch Marsh in the next game.

"With the kind of players we've got, it has always been difficult to drop someone. We need to strengthen our bowling line-up a bit."

Image Id: ~/media/B50B27B2D5424ADF9163FEA4D792966C Image Caption: Marsh celebrates a wicket with Dhoni // Sportzpics

Marsh, who was sold in February's IPL auction for $1 million, is the frontrunner to replace Pietersen having playedin  Pune's opening two matches.

The other option is South African Albie Morkel, who is yet to play a game but has 89 IPL matches in eight seasons under his belt.

Marsh said he's enjoying the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Dhoni, Smith, Faf du Plessis and Ravi Ashwin at Pune.

"That's the one thing that's great about world cricket these days – there's so many T20 competitions that international players play with each other all around the world," Marsh told cricket.com.au this month.

"You get to understand people. Your thoughts of them on the field aren't necessarily what they're like off the field.

"We've got a great relationship going with all the boys and we've got a lot of international players within our side and we're all gelling together beautifully."