| Bangalore: Mitchell Johnson, the Australia allrounder, has been ruled out of this year's IPL as he has not yet recovered from a surgery on his big toe. Johnson had been bought by Mumbai Indians for $300,000 in the February player auction. A team spokesperson confirmed his unavailability. Johnson picked up his injury while batting in the second Test at the Wanderers in South Africa last November. He was diagnosed with a severe injury to his ligaments, commonly referred to as 'turf toe'. At the time, Cricket Australia doctor Trefor James said Johnson's injury was so severe that surgery was clearly the best option and that he expected Johnson to be out for five or six months. Mumbai Indians have had a few injury problems already this season. Sachin Tendulkar missed a number of games with an injured finger, while Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga flew home for treatment for a sore back. The team has struggled after getting off to a good start. They have lost three of their last four games after winning three of their first four, and are currently in seventh place on the points table after eight games. While Johnson will miss the IPL, he was signed by Durham earlier this month to be their second overseas player for the 2012 Friends Life t20 competition. He is also expected to be fit for Australia's limited-overs tour of England that begins in mid-June. (courtesy sports.ndtv.com) |