Bailey earns late IPL call-up

George Bailey has earned a late call-up to the Indian Premier League, joining the injury-hit Rising Pune Supergiants.

The Supergiants have already lost four of their star international imports during the tournament due to injury; Australian duo Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh, South African Faf du Plessis and Englishman Kevin Pietersen.

Australian Usman Khawaja has already been called in and tonight it was announced the Bailey would join the fledgling franchise for the rest of the tournament.

"We lost four crucial players, but we are looking ahead," said chief executive Raghu Iyer.

"Bailey has tremendous experience and had a very successful season before last. He can contribute to the leadership group.

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"Smith's (injury news) been a bummer. He was just coming into his own and this happened.

"It is a challenging time. Before we could settle down we lost the core group of players around whom you build a team around."

Bailey was overlooked during February's IPL auction at a price of around $US148,000 despite being captain of the Kings XI Punjab the previous season.

It will be Bailey's third IPL franchise having also previously played with the now defunct Chennai Super Kings.

Iyer said a replacement for Marsh will be announced later this week.

The Supergiants are currently sixth on the IPL ladder having won just two of their eight matches in their first year in the competition.