Kumble undergoes surgery

Ace spinner Anil Kumble underwent surgery on his right shoulder at a private clinic in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning. Though it is believed the operation was successful, he will be out of competitive cricket for at least six months.

The surgery on the shoulder of his bowling arm was performed by orthopaedic surgeon Mark Fergusson.

Indian team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus said, "Fergusson found some of the problem in his shoulder was not as bad as feared earlier."

He added: "Kumble is very happy the way the surgery has gone. The recovery will take four to six months. This is a rough guideline. After that, Kumble is expected to be hundred per cent fit, although initially he will have some stiffness before he warms up.

The South African physio, at whose suggestion the spinner came to Johannesburg for treatment, said: "After the recovery, Kumble is expected to be back to his best and, perhaps, better than before."

Kumble's shoulder problem started during the tri-series in Sharjah last November and he missed India's home series against Zimbabwe towards the year-end.

The surgery will keep India's most successful spinner, with 276 wickets under his belt, out of the home series against Australia, starting next month, and the Sharjah tri-series, involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, after that.

Related report: Kumble to miss Australian series

Mail Cricket Editor