Balaji had problems in Holland: BCCI

Balaji was dropped from the ICC tournament in England due to injuries sustained in Holland, a top cricket official said.

Indian pace bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji was dropped from the ICC tournament in England due to injuries sustained in Holland, a top cricket official has said.

SK Nair, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said Balaji had sustained injury when he was in Holland playing in the three-nation cup last month.

Nair, who is visiting his hometown here, said: "Injuries can happen while one is playing or even during practice. Balaji had problems in Holland."

Balaji has been dropped for the entire ICC Champions Trophy tournament. "We will now give a treatment schedule for him and provide expert treatment for his injury."

Delhi pacer Amit Bhandari will replace an ailing Balaji for the tournament. Bhandari is, however, missing India's first match of the tournament against Kenya Saturday.

Bhandari, who was also called to Pakistan in March-April when Ashish Nehra got injured but did not play any one-dayers, performed well on the just concluded India A tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya, capturing 13 wickets.

He has played just two one-day internationals since making his debut in the 2000 Asia Cup in Dhaka.