<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">England's Jonny Bairstow has been ruled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League season, his team Punjab Kings said, after he failed to recover in time from a freak golfing injury.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>Australian batsman Matthew Short will replace Bairstow in the team, which will begin its campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 1.</div><div><br></div><div>"We regret to inform you that Jonny Bairstow will not be a part of the IPL this season because of his injury," Punjab said in a statement on Saturday.</div><div><br></div><div>"We wish him the best and look forward to seeing him next season. We are pleased to welcome Matthew Short as his replacement."</div><div><br></div><div>Bairstow, a 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle last September while playing golf and has been out of action since.</div><div><br></div><div>Short, 27, was the player of the tournament in the recent Big Bash League, scoring more than 400 runs and picking up 11 wickets with his off spin.</div><div><br></div><div>The Australian domestic tournament is, like the IPL, in the Twenty20 format.</div><div><br></div><div>Other big names missing for this IPL season, which begins on March 31, include Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant after a car crash in December and injured Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. - AFP</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>