Ashish Nehra will undergo surgery on his injured ankle, but only after the World Cup. For the moment though the left-arm seamer is concentrating on India's semi-final match against Kenya..

Nehra, who has been a revelation for India in the World Cup, admitted it is not easy bowling with a strapped ankle but is in no mood to miss Thursday's semi-final. Surgery on his ankle, which was damaged in India's opening game against Holland, would mean the bowler would be out of action for at least three weeks.

"It is not easy bowling with a strapped ankle and such injuries do not get healed easily," Nehra said.

"But this is one of the greatest moments of my career -- playing in a World Cup semi-final. Pain or no pain, I am going to play," Nehra was quoted as saying on the World Cup's official web site.

Despite the injury, Nehra was optimistic about his fitness.

"I think this World Cup has proved to one and all a thing or two about my fitness. People have been commenting on my fitness and I cannot shut everyone up but I think I have done justice to my team," he said.

Nehra's commitment has impressed one and all, including captain Sourav Ganguly. He defied pain and returned to take six wickets for 23 runs, the best bowling performance by an Indian in the World Cup, against England.

He has taken 13 wickets so far in this World Cup.