Laxman ruled out of the remaining IPL matches

In a setback to the beleaguered Hyderabad Deccan Chargers, its captain VVS Laxman, sustaining an injury on his right wrist, has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League.

Laxman said that his injured right wrist will take two weeks to heal completely, which virtually gives him no chance to play in the remaining matches as his team plays their last league tie on May 27.

"It will take two weeks for my wrist to heal completely. So, I am not playing for two weeks and (Adam) Gilchrist will lead the side," said Laxman, who met the media with straps on his injured wrist at a children's programme ahead of their match against Delhi Daredevils on Thursday.

In Hyderabad, team CEO J Krishnan confirmed that Laxman's injury has been diagnosed with a hairline fracture so he will not play in the remaining matches.

The stylish batsman injured his wrist during the match against Bangalore Royal Challengers in Bangalore on May 3, the sixth match of his team. After that Gilchrist led the side in the last three matches.

Laxman said his side was not being put under pressure from their franchise owners, the Deccan Chronicles, despite having won just two of their nine matches so far, unlike what had happened to Bangalore Royal Challengers.

"We are not being pressurised by out team owners. We are in this position (bottom) because we lost a few close games. I am very happy at the way they (the owners) are supporting the players," he said.

"They (the owners) know we are playing at our best and as long as we are doing that I think there should not be any pressure," said Laxman.

Asked what he thought of franchise owners interfering and putting pressure on the team to perform just like what had happened to Bangalore Royal Challengers, he said it "depends on the team."

"It is their (owners') team and they can tell the captain and the think-tank to do something for the betterment of the team. But what can be asked depends on the team situation. It will differ from team to team," he said.

"We are not looking up to the semifinals. We are trying to play our best in the remaining matches. We are not out of the race still," the stylish batsman said.

Asked what was the difference between playing for the country and for a franchise team, Laxman said, "You cannot compare anything in front of playing for your country. For a player, however, it is the same in one sense, you want to win whether you play for your country or for franchise team."

Stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist said the team was gelling well and his team has been in a precarious position because of some close matches which they lost.

"We gel very well as a team. The only missing thing is that we are not winning as many matches we should have won. We have lost a few close matches. That has brought us down," he rued.

The Chargers team management also announced that Rohit Sharma would be the new vice captain till the end of the season.

"Adam's contribution in all aspects of building the team has been invaluable right through the season. His positive attitude, limitless energy and astute leadership skills would make a significant impact on the team."

"Rohit has been displaying tremendous responsibility and maturity in the way he has been adapting to different situations. Rohit is being groomed for the future and he would greatly benefit by being an understudy to Adam," Krishnan added.