Kumble ruled out another two months through injury

Kunal Pradhan

Anil Kumble will be out of competitive action for at least two more months because of his shoulder injury, the spin bowler said on Friday.

Kumble, considered one of the world's best leg spinners, underwent surgery in January. He has not played since withdrawing midway through a triangular one-day tournament in Sharjah last October.

"I have started bowling a little bit now. There are still problems but I'm feeling much better," Kumble told Reuters from Bangalore.

"I can't say for sure but I think I should be fit to play a match in another two months."

Kumble has already been ruled out of India's tour of Zimbabwe from May 28 to July 7, but officials are hoping he will be fit for the test series in Sri Lanka which starts in mid-August.

Kumble, who with 276 wickets is India's second highest test wicket-taker behind Kapil Dev's 434, said he had been asked to bowl by doctors so they could monitor his recovery.

"It's all part of a progression. They've given me a rehabilitation programme which I have to go through," he added.

"I'll report back to them in a month and then they can make any amendments they feel are required."

Kumble opted for surgery after physiotherapy failed to solve the problem and he experienced severe pain when bowling in the nets.

The former Leicestershire and Northamptonshire player captured all 10 Pakistani second-innings wickets in a test in Delhi in February 1999 to equal the world record of England's Jim Laker and set up a memorable series-levelling win.

Kumble missed India's 2-1 series victory over Australia earlier this year, but he was able to give some useful tips to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who picked up 32 wickets in the three tests.

Mail Cricket Editor