Doctors clear Ganguly for November 12 match

Doctors have declared that Sourav Ganguly will be available for the TVS Cup match against Australia on November 12. "We are very happy with his progress. He has recovered fast. From our side, we have no problem if he plays the November 12 match at Bangalore," said Dr Sukumar Mukherjee, head of the six-member medical board which is treating Ganguly.

Mukherjee stated that Ganguly now needed to be cleared by the Indian board. "Now the matter is in the court of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. As per the board's norms, I believe he has to undergo a fitness test. On being cleared, he can again play for the country."

Mukherjee also clarified that Ganguly now had no problem in stretching, and was walking without a limp. "Today, we made him walk before us. He is perfectly fine."

However, the rehabilitation programme, including physiotherapy, would go on for a few more days. The course of antibiotics would also continue. Mukherjee said all the five 'superficial stitches' on the wound had been removed and one of the two deep stitches would be cut on Monday.

Ganguly, who had to undergo mini-surgical procedures twice in five days for removing the abscess, missed the second Test against New Zealand at Mohali and all three ODIs that India have played so far in the TVS Cup.