Royals’ Hodge, Tait to miss CLT20 final

Jaipur  : Rajasthan Royals cricketers Brad Hodge and Shaun Tait will miss the Champions League Twenty20 final Sunday at the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi due to injuries.

Hodge has been replaced by Kushal Periera while Sachin Baby has come in as a replacement for pacer Tait.

“Hodge was replaced after sustaining a Grade 2-3 MCL ligament tear on his left knee during the semifinal match against Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur last evening,” said a CLT20 release Saturday.

“Tait suffered a Grade 1 lateral hamstring strain during training on Sep 20 and was undergoing routine treatment. He initially responded exceptionally well and returned to light running and bowling off six steps within five days.

“Tait then returned to bowling in the nets but was unable to bowl beyond 65-70 percent without onset of pain in the lateral hamstring and the team medical staff felt that treatment and rehabilitation should continue,” added the release.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the event technical committee.

The final will be played between the Royals and the winner of the other semifinal between Mumbai Indians and Trinidad and Tobago at the Kotla Saturday.