Indian news round-up

Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble left for South Africa on Sunday to meet Dr Mark Ferguson regarding his shoulder injury that he sustained in October during the Coca Cola Cup in Sharjah.

A news agency reported that Kumble is being accompanied by Andrew Leipus, the Indian team physiotherapist, during his treatment. Prior to his departure, Kumble had said he might have to undergo surgery which could rule him out of the series against Australia who are slated to arrive in India on February 14.

The agency also reported that India's second highest wicket-taker with 276 victims felt severe pain when he tried to bowl recently and realised his shoulder was not improving. This prompted him to have an appointment with Ferguson.

Ferguson, a Johannesburg based specialist, had earlier treated Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath for a shoulder injury that he suffered three years ago.

Former Test wicket keeper Bharat Reddy announced in Chennai on Monday that the Pepsi Youth Series, a prelude to the Inter-city tournament would be played from January 9. He added that the Inter-city event would be held in Chennai from January 22.

Speaking to the press, Reddy said "the Pepsi Youth Series has proved to be a perfect platform for talent spotting, and providing youngsters with a great opportunity to prove their talent." The Chennai leg of the national level tourney is being conducted by Bharat Reddy, while former Test cricketers like Roger Binny (Bangalore), Shivlal Yadav (Hyderabad), Madan Lal (Delhi) and Saba Karim (Kolkata) have been roped in for the conduct of the tourney.

In all sixteen teams are to participate in the 40 overs a side tourney. The final of the Chennai leg is to be played at the AC Tech ground on January 18. The winner would then compete with the winners from Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. The inter-city event was conducted in Hyderabad last year.

The second semi-final match in the Wills Trophy limited overs tournament to be held at Valsad on February 11 will now be held at Pune.

The first semi-final between the Board President's XI and the winners of the Mumbai-Tamil Nadu match will be held in Mumbai as scheduled but the second semi-final has been shifted to Pune due to unavoidable circumstances, a BCCI source said in Mumbai on Monday.