CHENNAI: Injured England batsman Kevin Pietersen said on Monday he was “absolutely devastated” to have been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup and the lucrative Indian Premier League.
“Sad to leave India.. Love the people & the hospitality!! Alvida doston (Goodbye friends),” he wrote on his Twitter account.
“I fly home tonight. Out of the WC & IPL.. Absolutely devastated!!”
An England team spokesman said the 30-year-old will head home to undergo a hernia operation which he had been hoping to postpone until after the World Cup.
He added that Eoin Morgan will be requested as a replacement player.
Team officials confirmed on Saturday that Pietersen would undergo an operation, but only after the tournament, although the player did say the injury would “no doubt impact my preparation” during the World Cup.
However, the procedure has been brought forward after the player was clearly troubled during England’s Group B win over his native South Africa in Chennai here on Sunday.
Pietersen, moved up the order to open during the World Cup, made just two off three balls.
He looked more of a threat with his part-time off-spin than with the bat in a tense six-run victory and it is now 27 matches since he last scored a one-day international hundred.
Pietersen’s injury was diagnosed following England’s 6-1 one-day series loss in Australia which came after the Test side’s Ashes series triumph.
His early departure from the World Cup raises questions over his future in the 50-over form of the game, with Pietersen having publicly complained about a “ridiculous” England schedule.
England left for the subcontinent just three days after returning from a tour of Australia which started in October last year.
Pietersen’s message to his Twitter followers ended speculation that advancing his surgery might leave him free to play in the latest Indian Premier League which starts next month.
He was due to earn around $650,000 playing for the Deccan Chargers.
But the news will be welcomed by England officials who will look forward to arguably their most talented batsman being fully fit for a busy home season of international cricket, featuring series against Sri Lanka and India.
The first Test against Sri Lanka starts in Cardiff on May 26.
At the weekend, Pietersen said he hoped to make it through the World Cup, which finishes on April 2, despite the injury and that he was “excited” to be involved.
“Representing England in a World Cup is something I’ve been looking forward to for the past four years and I’m excited by the prospect of helping the team achieve something special against the best teams in the world,” he said.
Former Ireland batsman Morgan would have been in England’s original squad but for a finger injury.
His replacement, Ravi Bopara, made a man-of-the-match winning 60 against South Africa in Chennai.
However, both Morgan and Bopara are middle-order batsmen which leaves England needing to find a new opening partner for captain Andrew Strauss.
Either Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell could now be promoted up the order.
England’s victory over previously unbeaten group leaders South Africa revived a faltering World Cup campaign which has featured a stuttering win over the Netherlands, a tie with India and a shock defeat by Ireland.
Their bid for a quarter-final spot continues with a group match against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Friday.
Pietersen is the 14th player to be replaced at the World Cup.
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