Finch replaces 'bubble-fatigue' Hales at Kolkata Knight Riders

Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch has been named as replacement for England's Alex Hales at the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) side, the franchise announced on Friday.

Hales, who went to two-time champions Kolkata for $196 000 in the auction last month, pulled out of the lucrative T20 tournament starting from 26 March, citing "bubble fatigue".

He becomes the second English player to opt out of the league due to challenges of bubble life after Jason Roy earlier this month parted ways with Gujarat Titans, one of the two new teams this edition.

"We respect Alex Hales' decision of choosing family and mental well-being over his participation in the upcoming season of the IPL," Kolkata chief executive Venky Mysore said.

Finch, who led Australia to their first ever T20 World Cup title last year, went unsold in the auction but returns to the world's most valuable cricket league, also for $196 000.

The 35-year-old Finch, a top-order batsman, has played 85 innings in the IPL over the years and scored 2 005 runs.

Kolkata, led by India's Shreyas Iyer, will take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of this season's tournament that has been expanded to 10 teams.

(2/2) @VenkyMysore: “We are delighted to welcome Aaron Finch, the T20 World Cup-winning captain, to the Knight Riders family. He is excited about joining the rest of the KKR squad in Mumbai and we look forward to benefiting from his vast experience”