Indian news round-up

India might face a depleted England side come November if reports circulating in the English media are to be believed. Darren 'Dazzler' Gough and Alec Stewart are both said to be rather keen on staying at home during the Christmas season rather than slogging it out in England colours.

Gough, who has not had a happy Ashes, does not want to toil on the unrewarding sub-continental pitches where a fast bowler like him, who relies on movement off the pitch, will have to put with a lot of disappointment.

For his part, Stewart, though he might not admit it, does not want to go anywhere near the country where Mukesh Gupta, the bookie who blew the whistle on Mohammed Azharuddin, resides. Gupta had told India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that he had paid Stewart money for information during England's 1993 tour of India. Though Gupta has subsequently refused to speak, Stewart reportedly still does not want to risk a face-to-face meeting with the CBI investigators.

Meanwhile, there is increasing speculation that Michael Atherton, that dogged English soldier who seems to have been around for as long as Father Time, will be doffing his English cap for the last time at the end of the current final Ashes Test at The Oval.

Little master Sachin Tendulkar and his injured toe will be the most important cargo on the 1.30 a.m. South African Airlines Mumbai - Johannesburg flight taking off on August 26. Once there, Tendulkar will be consulting South African orthopaedic surgeon Mark Fergusson, who will advice him on the further course of treatment. Fergusson, remember, was the man who fixed Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble.

The legendary Indian off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna and former Indian stumper Kiran More will both be heading to nearby Bangladesh in December to impart expert advice to the budding Bangla tigers there. The two had previously been to Bangladesh in 2000 when the Bangladesh Cricket Board borrowed their expertise for a Specialised Training Programme.