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Agarkar pulls out of NZ tour

Faisal Shariff in Bombay

Ajit Agarkar has lost his chance to go to New Zealand, where the Indian cricket team sets out on Thursday to win its first-ever series victory in 31 years.

Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad says the wiry fast bowler suffered a stress fracture on his left foot. "Ajit's injury is a big blow to India's chances in New Zealand," adds Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin. "He has been blossoming into an all-rounder and would have been handy as the second or third seamer."

Medium pacer Robin Singh Junior of Delhi has been chosen as the replacement for Agarkar who missed Mumbai's opening Ranji Trophy match (the one-dayer as well as the first class match) against Gujarat last fortnight. He was, however, present at the Indian team's training camp which concluded at the Brabourne stadium on Tuesday. Agarkar did not take part in the final day's session, citing a stomach upset.

Not for the first time has he missed out on a game because of injury. In 1997, he was out of action after bowling eight overs in the Ranji Trophy final in Gwalior, because of a back problem. In April, he missed out on a couple of matches in the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah.

Sanjay Manjrekar, Agarkar's skipper in Ranji Trophy games last season, said in the course of a recent commentary session: "That boy weighs 58 kilos (his height, by the way, is five foot seven). I told him, he has either to add body weight, or stop bowling fast."

Robin Singh Jr, who works with the Delhi Police, was a member of the India 'A' team which lost to the West Indies 'A' team in Bangalore on Tuesday. Gaekwad felt though Robin Singh Jr may not have been at the top of the reserves list, his good showing in the two matches against the West Indies 'A' team tilted the scales in his favour.

Speaking from his hotel room, Agarkar -- who holds the world record for taking the fastest 50 wickets in one-day internationals, eclipsing the legendary Dennis Lillee -- said, "This is very disappointing news for me. I was looking forward to the tour. I have never been to New Zealand and from what I have gathered about the wickets there from my team mates, I think I would have enjoyed bowling there."

When did you find out about the injury?

During the camp I felt the pain in my left foot. As a precautionary measure I thought I would ask the coach to let me have a check-up. So last evening I went to the Hinduja Hospital for a scan and that is when we found out that I had a stress fracture on my left foot.

Was that the reason you did not train on the last day of the preparatory camp?

No, I was unwell that day. I had a stomach upset, I didn't know then that I would be diagnosed for a stress fracture.

How long will this injury take to heal?

As of now I have been advised to rest for four weeks. No, exercises or anything, just plain rest.

Ajit, you have always been nagged by injuries. You missed out on the Ranji Trophy final; you missed a couple of matches in Sharjah early this year. Is it a recurrence of the same problem?

The Gwalior match you are talking about was two years back. All the three injuries I suffered were different, including this one. Earlier it was a back problem; I have not had a foot injury before.

Does this have anything to do with your bowling action, like Dennis Lillee pointed out when you trained with him at the Chennai camp?

I don't think so. If that were the case, then I would have felt some pain. Maybe as the injury heals and I get back to peak form, things will get clearer. But I don't think I might have to change my action. It's a pretty straightforward kind of fracture and I hope there are no complications.

What are you aiming at now since the New Zealand trip is over for you?

There is the Pakistan trip I am looking forward to. Maybe I will be all set by then. I think that is a long way off. As of now, I will just relax at home and wait till the injury heals.

Additional reportage: UNI