Tiwary ruled out for six weeks

Manoj Tiwary has been ruled out of action for at least six weeks after suffering a back injury in the Ranji Trophy.

The injury means he will miss the Twenty20 series against England, the visit of Pakistan and could struggle to be in contention for the ODIs against England in January.

Tiwary, the 27-year-old Bengal captain who had been named in India's 15-man squad for the England T20s, picked up the problem during the first innings against Saurashtra on Sunday and retired hurt for 55. He was unable to return and underwent scans which showed the extent of the damage and he will now travel to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to begin his rehabilitation.

"The MRI report has come and I am leaving for Bangalore tomorrow," he told PTI. "I will follow what physio Nitin Patel tells me to do once he checks the report. As of now it looks like six weeks."

Tiwary has shown some good form this season, scoring 191 against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy and also made 93 against England for the Board President's XI last month. This is the second injury he has suffered in quick succession after a wrist problem earlier in the season.

He has not been a regular in the India starting XI, playing eight ODIs and three Twenty20s, since his debut in 2008. His most recent appearance was the T20 against New Zealand, in Chennai, during September. He was part of India's World Twenty20 squad for the tournament in Sri Lanka.