Kumble puts return on hold

India's second highest Test wicket-taker is undergoing physiotherapy to get his shoulder back in shape.

"I'm not sure. I have to see. But there's nothing now to hurry up (for)," said Kumble.

The next big engagement for India is when Australia tour the country in February for three Tests and five one-day internationals.

The 30-year-old Kumble complained of shoulder pain and was ruled out midway through India's campaign in the Sharjah Cup triangular one-day tournament late in October.

He missed the one-off Dhaka Test against Bangladesh in November and was ruled out of the current home series against Zimbabwe on medical advice.

Kumble said he is following a rehabilitation programme worked out by South African specialist Mark Ferguson and Indian team's physiotherapist Andrew Leipus.

"It's general physiotherapy and rehabilitation," he said.

The bowler said pain in his shoulder, attributed to overuse, flared up every time he tried to bowl. "It hurts whenever I lift my shoulder," he added.

Kumble's absence was felt in the second game of the two-Test series against Zimbabwe in Nagpur where Andy Flower struck an unbeaten 232 to help the visitors salvage a draw.

Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly said after the match that Kumble's presence would have made a difference on an ideal batting track.

The spinner, with 276 wickets, is India's second highest Test wicket-taker after paceman and former captain Kapil Dev's 434.

Kumble, who played for Leicestershire in the English county league last season, captured all 10 Pakistani second innings wickets in February 1999 to match Jim Laker's world record and set up a memorable series- levelling victory.

Mail Cricket Editor