The growing causalty list of Indians

NEW DELHI, AUG. 18. The Indian cricketers are flying out to different corners of the world, seeking medical advice for their injuries - V. V. S. Laxman has just landed in Adelaide; Sachin Tendulkar will leave for South Africa next week and Ashish Nehra leaves for London tonight.

Javagal Srinath returns from Colombo, hoping to be fit for the South African tour in October, while Anil Kumble has just about returned to competitive cricket after a lapse of 10 months.

The National selectors would be hard pressed to find replacements for these cricketers, who have, one by one, been relegated to the sidelines due to over-stress.

The news of Tendulkar flying to South Africa for consulting a sports medicine specialist is most disturbing - leading to further speculation on the nature of the toe-injury he suffered on the last tour to Zimbabwe.

India's bowling has certainly been hit for a six in the absence of Srinath, Kumble and Nehra.

Srinath, being used sparingly in international cricket, was unfortunate to have suffered a blow on his left hand during the Test against Sri Lanka. The Karnataka speedster had been out of action most of last year on account of a shoulder injury, which he had suffered first in 1997 after landing in the West Indies. The injury had compelled Srinath to opt out of limited overs cricket.

Kumble had suffered a shoulder injury during the three-nation tournament in Sharjah last October. The hectic scheduling of matches by the Board had taken its toll as India lost its most effective bowler. Currently playing in Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, Kumble said ``I'm feeling comfortable. It's getting better and I think the strength in my shoulder is improving day by day.''

Nehra, suffering from a groin injury, will be seeking guidance of a specialist in England. ``I don't want to take any chances and want to return to the team as quickly as possible,'' he said shortly before leaving on Saturday.

Laxman, troubled by a painful knee, was confident of joining the team for the South African tour from the beginning. ``I'm relieved that the injury is not serious. I'm feeling comfortable but just want to make sure nothing goes wrong because we've a long season ahead,'' the Hyderabad batsman had said a day before he left for Australia.

Another cricketer nursing an injury is left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, recently back from Australia. Kartik, who sought expert opinion in Adelaide, is currently playing in the Buchi Babu tournament. ``I don't feel any pain now,'' said Kartik, who would be in the reckoning for a place in the Test side this season.

Tendulkar, Kumble, Laxman, Srinath, Nehra, Kartik... the casualty list is growing. If skipper Sourav Ganguly complains of the team being severely depleted, he certainly is not off the mark. There is reason enough for the Board to spare some thought when scheduling the team's international engagements.

The forthcoming Asian Test Championship, if at all it comes off, would be a cruel exercise, keeping in mind the physical demands on the players when engaged in relentless and tough international cricket.

- Our Special Correspondent

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : England fights back, at last
Next     : Tendulkar to go to S.A. for treatment