Even as his team Kings XI Punjab prepared for their first encounter against the Delhi Daredevils at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali here Saturday, Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has flown back to Australia for treatment of his elbow injury.

Lee will be missed for the Kings XI Punjab team for the first 10 days of the IPL Season 3 that got under way Friday evening.

But the fast bowler, who is quite popular in India, will be returning after his treatment and will re-join the team.

'Kings XI Punjab player Brett Lee will be missing the first ten days of IPL as he has not recovered fully from his injury. He has gone back to Australia for completing his treatment and will re-join the team and play in the IPL upon his return,' a team spokesperson announced here Friday evening.

Kings XI Punjab is led by Sri Lankan captain Kumara Sanghakara.

The team is owned by Bollywood actress Priety Zinta and industrialist and her ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia and two other partners.