Injured Nayar out of Deodhar Trophy

Allrounder Abhishek Nayar has failed to recover from a left-thumb injury and has been replaced with Mumbai team-mate Suryakumar Yadav in West Zone's squad for the Deodhar Trophy, to be played at Visakhapatnam from March 23 to 27.

Nayar, who averaged 55 with the bat during the West Zone one-day league for the Ramakant Desai Trophy, was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable campaign for Mumbai. Nayar hurt a ligament in his left thumb while attempting a catch in the tournament, where Mumbai finished in last place.

He was expected to recover in time for the inter-zonal one-day championship but a slow recovery has resulted in him being sidelined from the tournament. Nayar told ESPNcricinfo that he will take "at least a week more" to regain full match-fitness.

Nayar's injury has presented Yadav, who led Mumbai in the one-dayers, an opportunity to impress the national selectors. West Zone, the defending champions who will be led by India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, open their campaign in the semi-final on March 25. They will face the winner of the quarter-final between Central Zone and East Zone.