India's preparation for the crucial fourth cricket one-dayer against Australia
received a jolt with opener Gautam Gambhir sustaining a groin injury during
the practice session this morning.
Gambhir was batting in the nets with S Sreesanth bowling at him when the left-hander
slipped and hurt himself. Gambhir, accompanied by physio John Gloster and
manager Lalchand Rajput, limped out of the ground.
Later, Robin Uthappa told reporters that Gambhir had
gone for an MRI and his status would be known only after receiving the report.
"He just slipped in the nets and sustained the injury.
He would require an MRI and once we get that report, we would know his status.
John is taking care of him," Uthappa said.
Sourav Ganguly, who has recovered from the hamstring
injury sustained in the rain-marred first match and missing the subsequent two
ODIs, is likely to replace Gambhir even if the Delhi batsman manages to recover
in time for tomorrow's match.
The indication was clear in the nets as Ganguly and Tendulkar were the first
to go in for the knocking.
Uthappa said there was no fitness worry with the former captain, saying "he's
absolutely fine".
The Gambhir-Tendulkar pair has not been able to click in the series so far,
scoring 1,11,10 in three matches.
Gambhir was unbeaten on four when rain washed out the series opener in Bangalore
and in the other two matches his scores were 6 and 7.
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