Kohli’s IPL availability to be assessed soon

New Delhi: India captain Virat Kohli's availability for IPL-10 will be known only in the second week of this month as he undergoes rehabilitation for an injured shoulder, the BCCI said today.

Updating the fitness status of Indian players, who took part in the just-concluded home Test series against Australia, the BCCI said Kohli will undergo rehabilitation for the injury sustained during the Ranchi Test.

"The Indian captain will undergo rehabilitation after sustaining an injury to his right shoulder. His recovery will be assessed in the second week of April to determine an exact return to play date for IPL 2017," the BCCI said in a release.

A host of top Indian players will either miss the IPL or be rested from some initial matches of the cash-rich event.

These players will need some rest after a gruelling home season to be fully fit for the Champions Trophy coming up in England in June. India are defending the title they won in 2013.

Premier India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was set to represent Rising Pune Supergiants, will not be available for the entire IPL due to recurrence of sports hernia while Test openers Murali Vijay (last year's captain of Kings XI Punjab) and Lokesh Rahul (RCB) are also virtually ruled out due to imminent shoulder surgeries.

Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Umesh Yadav and Gujarat Lions' biggest draw Ravindra Jadeja have been given some time to freshen up and will not be available for their respective franchises in the first couple of matches.

Umesh and Jadeja are automatic selections in India's Champions Trophy squad.

However, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who is expected to be picked for the Champions Trophy, and his team-mate Hardik Pandya, have been cleared to play for the full IPL season.

"Mr. Rohit Sharma and Mr. Hardik Pandya - have been declared fit to play competitive cricket. They will be available for IPL 2017," the BCCI said.

--PTI