Sunrisers Hyderabad have been dealt a big blow ahead of Tuesday’s IPL clash with Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

Pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of the crucial encounter due to a niggling back injury. However, there is some good news for the Hyderabad fans with opener Shikhar Dhawan likely to be fit for the tie having recovered from the elbow injury he suffered in the loss against Kings XI Punjab.

Sunrisers skipper Kane Williamson confirmed Bhuvneshwar’s absence late on Monday night as the team arrived in Mumbai.

“Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar) did not travel with the team and is not playing the next match. Shikhar we are hoping will be fine for tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying by the PTI (Press Trust of India).

Bhuvneshawar had incidentally missed out on the reverse clash against Mumbai Indians at Hyderabad earlier due to the same injury. Young pacer Sandeep Sharma had replaced the India man in the line-up that day and is expected to do so again on Tuesday.

Williamson’s men have stuttered in their campaign recently after starting in flying fashion. Since winning their first three matches, last year’s runners-up have tasted two defeats on the bounce against Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings.

Mumbai Indians have endured a horrendous start to their campaign with the defending champions ending up on the losing side in four of their five clashes so far.