Indian team faced a major blow before start of their campaign in the Champions Trophy as the stylish left handed batsman Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of the eight-nation tournament due to finger injury which he sustained during practice session.

The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) informed media that Yuvraj has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy as he has fractured his finger of his right hand and he would be out of the cricketing action for next six weeks.

He added that Virat Kohli will replace Yuvraj in the Indian squad and he will fly to South Africa as soon as possible to join the Indian squad.

Yuvraj has scored 7,098 runs in the ODI matches apart from taking 76 wickets. Yuvraj is currently placed at no. 2 in the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen. Yuvraj is also ranked no. 2 in the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings.

India will face their rivals Pakistan in their first match at Centurion on Saturday. Two other teams in the group are defending champions Australia and the West Indies. Two top teams from the group will advance into the semifinals.