Bhandari to replace injured Balaji

Indian medium-pacer Amit Bhandari will replace seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy with an abdominal injury on Friday.

Indian medium-pacer Amit Bhandari will replace seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy with an abdominal injury on Friday.

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Bhandari, 25, has grabbed five wickets in his two one-day internationals for India but has an economy rate of six runs an over. He last played against Zimbabwe in Perth in February.

Balaji's loss is a big blow for India, already without leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is out with tennis elbow.

In good form of late, Balaji took two for 37 against England in a warm-up game and three for 27 against Pakistan.

India face Kenya in their first match at the Rose Bowl, Southampton on Saturday and also play Pakistan at Edgbaston on September 19.