MUMBAI: Left-arm medium pacer Ashish Nehra, who picked up two wickets and ended up the most economical Indian bowler following a superb spell in the semifinal against Pakistan, is learnt to be out of the World Cup with a fractured finger.
Nehra may not take part in the final, but neither the Indian team manager Ranjib Biswal nor ICC spokespersons could confirm the development. Apparently, the bowler hurt his finger while fielding against Pakistan.
In case Nehra's out, it is to be seen if India would seek a replacement. In the event they go for a replacement, then Ishant Sharma is likely to come in as Praveen Kumar, who was in the original eleven but opted out due to injury, is still recuperating.
The team could also decide against a replacement as it has enough bench strength at the moment which includes S Sreesanth and R Ashwin.
It is being seriously perceived that Ashwin is likely to make the final 11 on Saturday and, therefore, a replacement may not be needed at all. However, these aspects will unfold only after Nehra is officially ruled out.
It is also learnt that India's number three batsman Gautam Gambhir is also battling a minor injury. However, there has been no update on him either.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan side is grappling with its own problems. Veteran left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas and crafty off-spinner Suraj Randiv have been sent an SOS by the team management to join the squad as cover for injured all-rounder Aneglo Matthews (hamstring) and legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (hamstring and knee).
Vaas, a member of the 1996 side that won the Cup and also part of their campaigns in 1999, 2003 and 2007, was initially included in the 30-man probables, but was left out.
Randiv is yet to play in a World Cup and is unfortunately remembered for his deliberate no-ball against India which denied Virender Sehwag a century in an ODI last August.
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Nehra may not take part in the final, but neither the Indian team manager Ranjib Biswal nor ICC spokespersons could confirm the development. Apparently, the bowler hurt his finger while fielding against Pakistan.
In case Nehra's out, it is to be seen if India would seek a replacement. In the event they go for a replacement, then Ishant Sharma is likely to come in as Praveen Kumar, who was in the original eleven but opted out due to injury, is still recuperating.
The team could also decide against a replacement as it has enough bench strength at the moment which includes S Sreesanth and R Ashwin.
It is being seriously perceived that Ashwin is likely to make the final 11 on Saturday and, therefore, a replacement may not be needed at all. However, these aspects will unfold only after Nehra is officially ruled out.
It is also learnt that India's number three batsman Gautam Gambhir is also battling a minor injury. However, there has been no update on him either.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan side is grappling with its own problems. Veteran left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas and crafty off-spinner Suraj Randiv have been sent an SOS by the team management to join the squad as cover for injured all-rounder Aneglo Matthews (hamstring) and legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (hamstring and knee).
Vaas, a member of the 1996 side that won the Cup and also part of their campaigns in 1999, 2003 and 2007, was initially included in the 30-man probables, but was left out.
Randiv is yet to play in a World Cup and is unfortunately remembered for his deliberate no-ball against India which denied Virender Sehwag a century in an ODI last August.
toi
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