Gayle to miss matches

Kochi, India, CMC – West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle could be out of action for up to four weeks, after suffering a hamstring pull during the first One Day International (ODI) against India in Kochi on Thursday.

Gayle is likely to miss the remaining two ODIs and the start of the New Zealand tour immediately after the series.

He suffered the injury when he was run-out for zero off the second ball of the innings.

Gayle failed to beat the direct hit from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and tumbled awkwardly, landing on his knee.

He was in pain and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

Gayle was initially treated at the ground by the orthopedic surgeon Dr Bipin Theruvil, before he was admitted to hospital.

An MRI scan found that there was a “hamstring tear on his left leg and small blood clot around”.

“The injuries will take at least two to four weeks to heal,” Dr Theruvil told reporters.

The West Indies test series in New Zealand begins on December 3 in Dunedin