Chris Gayle's availability for the home series against Australia is in doubt © AFP Enlarge

Chris Gayle's participation in the Indian Premier League has come to a premature end, with the West Indies captain flying back to Jamaica to recuperate from a groin injury.

Gayle had joined the Kolkata Knight Riders following the ODI series at home against Sri Lanka, but the injury prevented him from taking part in any of his team's matches. Gayle, though, will not need to undergo surgery, with the latest MRI scan indicating he doesn't have an hairline fracture, Tony Deyal, the WICB secretary, confirmed.

The news would come as a boost to the West Indies, who host Australia for a three-Test series beginning May 22. Earlier reports suggested Gayle had suffered a hairline fracture in his groin, and that he would have need surgery.

Gayle had picked up the injury during the third ODI in St Lucia against Sri Lanka earlier this month, when he limped off after finishing his bowling stint.