Shoulder injury rules Hastings out of IPL

John Hastings, the Australia allrounder who was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala for $20,000, has become the latest player to leave the IPL early following injury concerns. He will head back to Australia for a scan on his shoulder, and will not return this season.

"Going home from the IPL to have a scan on my shoulder. There is a lot of cricket coming up," he tweeted. "Hopefully next year I can play a part. But yes this year there will be no IPL for me."

Hastings didn't get a game for Kochi in the one week that he was with the team, joining them after the tour of Bangladesh. He had been a part of Australia's World Cup squad as well, but didn't get a look-in during the tournament.

Steven Smith, another Australian allrounder bought by Kochi, had been ruled out of the IPL a week ago since he had to undergo ankle surgery.

Kochi are yet to seek replacements for their injured players. They had begun the season poorly with two losses, but bounced back with wins over highly rated Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. A victory over table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday will put them level on points at the top.