England star Kevin Pietersen became the injury-cursed World Cup's latest victim on Monday, his high-profile departure predictably dwarfing Canada's low-key win over fellow no-hopers Kenya.
Pietersen will head home to undergo a hernia operation that he had been hoping to postpone until after the competition.
But after looking troubled during Sunday's six-run win over his native South Africa in Chennai, where he made just two off three balls, the 30-year-old will go under the knife immediately.
"I fly home tonight. Out of the WC & IPL (Indian Premier League). Absolutely devastated," Pietersen wrote on his Twitter account.
"Sad to leave India. Love the people & the hospitality. Alvida doston (Goodbye friends)."
Pietersen is the 14th player to be replaced at the World Cup as the gruelling international schedule takes its toll.
He first complained of the problem after the 6-1 ODI defeat to Australia on the eve of the World Cup which immediately followed the Ashes triumph.
Pietersen, who in common with the majority of his English colleagues has been on the road virtually non-stop for more than four months, played in all of England's opening group games at the World Cup.
He made 39 against the Netherlands, 31 in the game against India, and 59 during the embarrassing loss to Ireland before finishing with two in the narrow victory over South Africa.
Pietersen will also suffer a financial hiding as the injury rules him out of the IPL where he was due to earn around $650,000 playing for the Deccan Chargers.
England will now hope Pietersen is fit and rested ahead of a busy home season of international cricket with Sri Lanka and India due to visit.
The International Cricket Council has approved Eoin Morgan as a replacement,
"Kevin's a world class player," England coach Andy Flower told Sky Sports News as the team headed for Chittagong and Friday's match against Bangladesh.
"But he's got a problem and I've seen the scan. It's a problem that he has been dealing with for a number of weeks now so he has to get that sorted out and hopefully he will be ready for the first Test against Sri Lanka in May."
England are second in Group B after Sunday's win, just behind India who ended Ireland's hopes of another upset with an efficient five-wicket victory in Bangalore.
Defeat to England sent South Africa, still searching for a first World Cup title, spinning from top spot to fourth place in the table after they failed to chase down a 172 target.
Meanwhile, Mike Hussey said he was delighted to be called up to Australia's World Cup squad.
The 35-year-old batsman, who was originally sidelined by a hamstring injury which required surgery, has been summoned to replace paceman Doug Bollinger.
"Just going is a bit of a dream come true but to actually be there as part of a winning Australian team would be out of this world, so let's hope," Hussey said.
In Monday's clash of the Group A whipping boys at New Delhi, Canada beat Kenya by five wickets.
Kenya made 198 with Canadian fast bowler Henry Osinde grabbing a career-best 4-26 while both Tanmay Mishra and Thomas Odoyo made half centuries.
Canada reached their target, and celebrated only their second ever World Cup win, with more than four overs to spare with Jimmy Hansra making 70 and skipper Asish Bagai an unbeaten 64.
On Tuesday, Group A leaders Pakistan, with three wins in three, face New Zealand in Pallekele.
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