Leicestershire may release Virender Sehwag for the remainder of the season, a daily reported on Sunday.

"A genuine back injury is expected to be used as the reason for releasing Sehwag… and signing an Australian fast bowler, Matt Nicholson, is believed to head their wanted list," The Sunday Telegraph said.

Leicestershire had rested Sehwag in their recent match against Sussex.

In the Twenty20 Cup semi-final at Trent Bridge on Saturday, Sehwag could contribute only 5 in his side's score of 162 for 7 wickets in 20 overs against Warwickshire, who romped home victorious with seven wickets.

For Leicestershire it was not the red-letter day and redemption of their season, which they had hoped. Their captain Phillip DeFreitas was hamstrung, could only bowl one over and may be out for several matches in the championship, where they seem doomed to relegation.

Sehwag, who opens for India, has not been an unqualified success at Grace Road, though his batting has attracted the Asian community to Leicestershire's matches for the first time.