Injuries rule Hopes, Bracken out of IPL

Australian all-rounder James Hopes [ Images ] and seamer Nathan Bracken [ Images ] have been ruled out of this year's Indian Premier League [ Images ] because of knee injuries.

"It has been decided that a period of rest and rehabilitation over the next two to three weeks will be the best preparation for both players," Australian team doctor Trefor James said in a statement.

The news would have come as a blow for the Bangalore Royal Challengers [ Images ], who were expecting Bracken to bolster their bowling attack, and for Hopes's team Kings XI Punjab [ Images ].

Despite the injuries both players were named in Australia's [ Images ] line-up for their Twenty20 [ Images ] international against Pakistan in Dubai [ Images ] on Thursday.