Injured Sreesanth out for up to eight weeks

Sreesanth, the India seamer, has said he could be out of action for a further six to eight weeks as he continues his rehabilitation from a toe injury that has sidelined him during the ongoing Ranji season.

The injury has ruled him out of contention for the four-Test series in Australia starting later this month. The national selectors meet on Monday to pick a replacement for the injured Praveen Kumar.

Sreesanth said he had decided against surgery on the left toe. "I did a bit of ayurvedic treatment and it (the pain) has really come down," Sreesanth told ESPNcricinfo. "I was advised surgery but didn't go for it because the last time I did ayurvedic treatment, for a labrum tear on my shoulder, it really helped and I never had to go for surgery. I have consulted the same doctor. The muscles get stronger with physiotherapy. I will start training in Bangalore from December 12."

The Test series begins on December 26 at the MCG and finishes on January 28. Sreesanth is hopeful of being available for the one-day tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, starting in February.

"I will be out for six to eight weeks. I don't think I'll be fit till the end of the Test series," Sreesanth said. "Hopefully for the one-dayers I will be fit for selection."

Sreesanth played three Tests in England earlier this year, but failed to impress taking eight wickets at 61.62. He played in Kerala's first match of the Ranji season, against Vidarbha in Nagpur, taking 1 for 119, before getting injured.

He wasn't chosen when the selectors picked the team for Australia, but the injury to Praveen ahead of the ongoing one-day series against West Indies, has given an opportunity for any one of India's reserve seamers to make the trip.