India's tour of Australia: Injured Mohammed Shami ruled out of series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar named replacement

New Delhi: India's premier pacer Mohammed Shami who made a return to the side after a nine-month injury layoff, pulled his hamstring and has been ruled out of the series as the side faces a big blow ahead of the ODI series against Australia.

The BCCI medical team confirmed on Saturday that the bowler has been ruled out of India’s tour of Australia due to injury.

Shami has been said to have sustained a Grade II injury to his left hamstring. The injury will restrict the Bengal pacer from playing active cricket for about 4 to 6 weeks. 

Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named as his replacement.

News Alert: Injured Shami out of Australia tour. @BhuviOfficial named replacement https://t.co/6pLMNfR9S8 #AusvIND pic.twitter.com/0Mj9gGMZmr — BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2016

Earlier, Shami pulled his hamstring ahead of the side's practice match against Western Australia XI which the visitors won comfortably.

Shami was unable to bowl as a result of his injury.

Gujarat pacer Jasprit Bumrah who has been in stupendous form with the ball had been put on stand-by for India's series against Australia by the BCCI.

It was reported that Bumrah could replace Mohammed Shami but the Indian Cricket Board has though otherwise by selecting Bhuvi.

Shami who starred in the ICC 2015 World Cup in March 2015, played the latter half of the tourney through pain, thus aggravating his knee injury.

He underwent a knee surgery which sidelined him for more than eight months.

The injury comes as a big blow for the pacer who wanted to make a good impression following his return and his experience will be missed.

Shami made a return in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal recently.