India sweat on Kumble

10 April 2008

Anil Kumble © Getty Images

India captain Anil Kumble will wait until Friday morning before making a decision on whether to play in the third Test against South Africa in Kanpur.

Kumble, who is recovering from a groin problem, and injured paceman Ishant Sharma both underwent fitness tests but the 37-year-old leg-spinner has asked for more time to decide on his health.

India did receive some positive news with Sharma passed fit to play after recovering from toe and finger injuries which forced him to miss the opening two Tests.

The 19-year-old, who spearheaded the India attack in Australia, is expected to play after Sri Sreesanth and left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan failed to impress during the innings-and-90-run defeat defeat in Ahmedabad last week.

And Kumble's fitness concerns could undermine India's hopes of levelling the series they trail 1-0.

"I am not yet fully fit. I will take a call tomorrow morning. I am hoping that things will get better tomorrow," Kumble said.

"I don't want to say anything on my fitness at the moment. If I am in a position to bowl, I will definitely play."

With the Green Park pitch expected to favour the slower bowlers, Kumble's absence may open the door for selectors to choose both leg-spinner Piyush Chawla and off-break bowler Ramesh Powar to partner Harbhajan Singh.