Indian news round-up

India and Pakistan should continue playing, feels Imran Khan: Former Pakistan captain, Imran Khan on Sunday felt that cricketing relations between India and Pakistan should continue as it would in the long run help in diffusing the tension between the two nations.

Speaking to the media in Dubai, Imran said ``Sporting links between India and Pakistan, specially in the game of cricket, must be strengthened as we have seen in the past that it helps in reducing tension between the countries.''

Imran's statement comes in the wake of doubts over the proposed Indian tour to Pakistan this winter. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting the Indian Government's clearance for the tour. India are scheduled to play three Tests and five one-dayers.

The Telegraph reported on Sunday that leg spinner Anil Kumble, who has been off the field for the past three weeks due to a shoulder injury, is to meet Dr Mark Fergusson in Chennai. The Johannesburg-based orthopaedic surgeon, who had earlier treated Javagal Srinath and Ajay Jadeja, is expected to be in Chennai for a seminar.

Speaking to the newspaper in Dhaka, the Indian team physio, Andrew Leipus said ``Dr Fergusson's coming to India is a happy coincidence, at this point in time, and Anil will go across to Chennai for an examination.'' On Kumble's injury, Leipus added ``I do suspect something, but wouldn't like to comment till Dr Fergusson has given his opinion. After all, he's the specialist.''

Leipus said ``Basically, we want a first-hand opinion from the No. 1 professional. And, personally, I wouldn't like Anil to make himself available till he is fully fit.''

The secretary of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) S Haridas said in Kochi on Sunday that S Shankar has been dropped from the state Ranji Trophy team for the next match against Goa slated to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi from November 15 to 18.

Left arm spinner Santosh Karunakaran finds a place in the team along with Sanjay Mohan. Kerala have so far collected five points from two matches in the South Zone league after drawing their first match against Andhra and losing the second against Hyderabad by an innings and 46 runs.

The team: K N Ananthapadmanabhan (captain), Sunil Oasis, G Kamarudin, Ajay Kudua, B Ramprakash, Sanjay Mohan, M Suresh, Sreekumar Nair, Varun Girilal, M P Sorab, Ranjit Menon, Prasanth Menon, Prasanth Chandran, Tinu Yohannan, Santosh Karunakaran. Coach : Balachandran, Manager : Radhakrishnan.