Injured Irfan out for six weeks

Irfan Pathan, the India medium-pacer, has been sidelined for six weeks with a rib injury. It leaves him facing a race against time to be fit for the Ranji season, which starts on October 27.

Irfan had been included in the India A squad for the ongoing limited-over series against West Indies A and was also named captain of the India Red side for the upcoming Challenger Trophy.

"It was a recent injury, it happened when I was bowling in Bangalore [the venue of India A one-day matches]," he told ESPNcricinfo, and added that it was not an injury which will cause trouble in the future after recovery.

"Should be back on the field in around 6 weeks. I understand a few fans are disappointed, so am I. But don't worry #faith," he tweeted.

The BCCI had named his replacement in the India A squad last week, and his place in the Challenger Trophy was taken by Kerala medium-pacer Sandeep Warrier. Irfan's half-brother, Yusuf Pathan, will take over as India Reds' new captain.

Irfan has been regularly troubled by injuries since a starring role in India's ODI series victory in Sri Lanka last year. A hamstring injury had curtailed his Ranji season, and another one ruled him out of the tri-series in the Caribbean in July. He was part of India's squad in the Champions Trophy but didn't get a game.