Yuvraj to return home, India face batting crisis

Johannesburg:

India's chances to win Champions Trophy faced a big blow as the middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh, who injured the little finger of his right hand on Wednesday, has been ruled out of the tournament and will return home.

Virat Kohli has been called up to replace the stylish left-hander, who is expected to stay out of the game for another six weeks, and Gautam Gambhir is named India's Vice-Captain in Yuvraj's absence.

Earlier during a training session in Johannesburg, Yuvraj ended up hurting his right finger so badly that he couldn't participate in the batting and bowling sessions which were conducted later in the day.

India are already an injury-hit side going into the tournament, missing the services of star opener Virender Sehwag, who is nursing a shoulder problem.

Sehwag's fellow opener Gautam Gambhir was also nursing a groin strain ahead of the tournament. Gambhir did not play in the team's only practice match against New Zealand.

Pacer Zaheer Khan is also missing from action due to an injury.