Kumble to miss Australian series

Faisal Shariff

India's spin-doctor Anil Kumble is out of contention for the Australian tour of India next month.

There was speculation about his availability for the series after he complained of shoulder pain and withdrew midway through the Sharjah Cup triangular one-day tournament in October last year.

"The chances of Anil getting fit for the Test series against the Aussies are really very slim," commented a senior member of the Indian cricket team.

"He has been struggling with his shoulder for the last couple of months now. The doctors had adopted a conservative line of treatment in the hope that the injury would reciprocate. But there is not much to rejoice."

Kumble will have to undergo arthroscopy, thereby making it impossible for him to recover in time for the series against the Aussies, who are looking for their first series win on Indian soil in 31 years. The last time they won in India was in 1969-70 under the captaincy of Bill Lawry.

"It seems like we're going to have long days on the field without Anil," added the member, who spoke of the confounding problems India could face without their strike bowler against the Aussies, who are on a roll with 15 Test victories on the trot.

"Earlier we thought we could outbowl them, but we will have to outbat them to take this series."

"He is going on the 15th of this month to South Africa to consult Dr Fergusson and Andrew Leipus. It is impossible for him to be ready for the Tests if he undergoes the operation."

Apparently Kumble was unable to bowl in the nets on Friday evening and complained of severe pain in his shoulder after bowling only a couple of deliveries.

"Anil waited patiently for the shoulder to improve these last three months but it didn't show any sign of improvement. Let's hope that Dr Fergusson can have him up and running for the Test series starting next month end," he added.

"It's a very difficult thing to have a surgery and then recover completely to be match-fit. Once you go inside the body the risk is enormous."
The extent of the injury however could be more serious than it seems, putting a question mark over when Kumble will bowl again.

So, what options does India have to take on the might of a team looking to capture the only series that has eluded them for quite some time?

"It was abject to watch tall scores in the Duleep Trophy games against the best attack of India in the domestic league, with no spinner making any impact as such. There are few options we have left. Murali Kartik is the best spinner in the country we have, but it is to be seen whether his talents will be recognised."

The Australian series was supposed to be tough. But after the Kumble injury it has just got tougher.

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