Gautam Gambhir to miss KKR's Champions T20 League qualifiers

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) today announced that their injured skipper Gautam Gambhir would miss the Champions T20 League qualifiers and his availability for the main tournament, if the team makes it, would depend on his regaining the complete fitness.

South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis will be leading KKR in Gautam's absence, a release from KKR said today.

The qualifiers of the league will begin on September 19 in Hyderabad with KKR clashing with Auckland Aces. KKR will lock horns with Somerset on September 21 in their second and last qualifying match.

Gambhir had suffered a concussion when he hurt his head while attempting a catch during the England-India Test series.

Following the injury, Gambhir missed the ongoing five-match ODI series in England.

"Gautam has been consulting a leading neurologist in New Delhi since returning from England. While the doctor has been happy with the progress Gautam has made, he has been advised to start physical training gradually to attain match fitness. His view is that September 19th is too early for him to effect a full recovery," the release from KKR said.

Gambhir's availability for the main tournament commencing on September 23, if KKR advance to this phase, would depend on the batsman attaining full fitness, the release added.

KKR's CEO, Venky Mysore, said the decision to play was completely left to the player and his doctors and hoped Gambhir would make a quick return to the game.

KKR's coach, Dav Whatmore, was also supportive of the player's decision and said that the team's support staff would do their best to help and hasten Gambhir's recovery.