Gambhir likely to miss West Indies tour

Opener’s absence complicates BCCI matters.

KARACHI:

India opener Gautam Gambhir is likely to miss the limited-overs leg of the West Indies tour next month after the aggravation of a shoulder injury that was sustained during the World Cup final against Sri Lanka.

Gambhir, who was named captain for that part of the Caribbean tour, has been advised four to six weeks’ rest by Kolkata Knight Riders trainer Andrew Leipus, his Indian Premier League team that was knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday.

“Gautam arrived in Kolkata at the start of the IPL complaining of a ‘sore shoulder’, the onset of which occurred during the World Cup final,” wrote Leipus in a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary N Srinivasan. “For the best outcome, he will need to avoid both throwing and batting for a period of four to six weeks.”

Gambhir’s absence will mean that the World champions play without three of their specialist openers — Virender Sehwag due to a shoulder surgery and Sachin Tendulkar who was rested from the format.

The debate, however will be the importance given to the IPL over country after Gambhir played 15 games through with the shoulder injury. And while Gambhir led the team through to the Elimination final, making 378 runs at 34.36 including two half-centuries, his condition was made worse during the final group match against Mumbai Indians when he cringed in pain during fielding.

Kolkata’s elimination from the tournament also saved the franchise from making a decision on his further participation in the IPL.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2011.