Mumbai: Tamilnadu seamer Lakshmipati Balaji to replace injured Munaf Patel for ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Munaf Patel, who is part of the Indian squad currently touring Sri Lanka, has been rendered unfit due to a groin injury. Munaf will return to India for rehabilitation which will take at least 7-10 days to be fully fit.

The National Selection Committee decided to name a replacement for Munaf for the Sri Lankan tour followed by a request from the Indian team management in Sri Lanka.

The lanky bowler suffered the injury during India's six-wicket win over hosts Sri Lanka in the first ODI on January 28.

Balaji will fly to Sri Lanka Monday night. He last played an One-dayer in 2005 in Sri Lanka before a stress fracture forced him out of the game.

Balaji, who made his India debut in November 2002, has so far taken 27 wickets in eight Tests and 34 wickets in 29 one-dayers. He will reach Colombo later on Monday and will be available for the third one-dayer at the Premadasa stadium on Tuesday.