Kumble has unusual shoulder injury, Dravid may play in Test

Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble, who missed the Coca Cola Champions Trophy final due to a shoulder injury, is said to be carrying the pain in his right shoulder for the last two to three months. This was conveyed by the team physio Andrew Leipus in a press note from Sharjah on Sunday. Leipus said "Anil (Kumble) is currently suffering from a very unusual injury in his right shoulder.''

PTI quotes Leipus as saying "Kumble's injury could take between two to six weeks to heal and it is possible for him to be fit before the Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 10. His symptoms of pain and stiffness are experienced while performing both bowling and throwing. These symptoms have been present in a very mild form for approximately 2-3 months, yet were acutely aggravated during the match against Sri Lanka."

Leipus, quoting Dr Deepak Bhatia (a local specialist) said "A thorough investigation and a MRI revealed that the cause of Anil's symptoms was a bruised bone. This was apparently caused by a fall onto the shoulder, but due to the repetitive throwing and bowling, this has never been completely allowed to heal. Leipus added that Dr Bhatia felt the injury could take anywhere between two to six weeks to heal. "As a result, it is possible that Anil will recover prior to the Bangladesh Test, but would obviously need to be declared fit by a local specialist on November 5," said Leipus, who added that on his return, he would try to seek a second opinion from another shoulder specialist Dr Mark Ferguson in Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, there is some news to cheer the Indian side. Vice captain Rahul Dravid, who returned to India with a broken finger midway during the Champions Trophy, may still play the inaugural Test between India and Bangladesh starting in Dhaka on November 10. Leipus said Dr Bhatia had given a favourable prognosis on Dravid possibly being ready for the Test. "As such, I would recommend that he be included in the list of players for the Test, with the proviso that another player be selected in reserve should he not be declared fit."