Kumble doubtful for first final

Anil Kumble is a doubtful starter for the first final of the VB Series, which will be played at Melbourne on Friday. Kumble has missed India's last four matches in the tournament due to a tear in the rotator cuff of his right shoulder. Sourav Ganguly indicated that a decision on Kumble's availability would be taken closer to the match.

"We will see him at nets on Thursday and see if he can play the game. We are not yet certain how his shoulder is going to behave. At the moment, he is only a 50-50 starter." Shivlal Yadav, manager of the Indian team, also suggested that Kumble might miss the game, saying that his long-term prospects were more important than rushing him into an ODI.

The concern over Kumble's availability is all the more due to the insipid display by Murali Kartik, the only other specialist spinner in the Indian squad - in three matches, Kartik has taken just one wicket and disappeared for more than six-and-a-half per over.

There was better news for Ashish Nehra, though. Nehra bruised his leg when he slipped and fell while bowling in India's last match, against Zimbabwe, but he has recovered from the injury and is expected to be fit for the final.