Praveen out of first three ODIs, Mithun named replacement

India received a setback on the eve of their five-match ODI series opener against the West Indies after pace spearhead Praveen Kumar was ruled out of the first three ODIs due chest injury.

Karnataka medium pacer Abhimanyu Mithun will replace him for the first three matches.

"Praveen Kumar has got a blunt chest on the left side, and has therefore been ruled out of the first three ODIs against the West Indies. Abhimanyu Mithun will replace him in the squad for the first three games," secretary Sanjay Jagdale was quoted as saying in a media release issued by BCCI.

Earlier skipper Virender Sehwag during the pre-match conference had said that Praveen had "niggle" and expected to be fit for the second ODIs.

"Praveen Kumar has a niggle so he is not available for first ODI. We expect him to join the squad tomorrow and be fit for the second match," Sehwag told reporters.

In the absence of Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar will lead the pace department along with Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron.