By IANS,
New Delhi : India skipper Anil Kumble, who is recovering after receiving ten stitches on his injured finger Friday, did not take field on the fourth morning of the third cricket Test against Australia at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Saturday.
He is however expected to return later in the day, team officials said.
Vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is leading the side in Kumble’s absence. Kumble injured the little finger of his left hand while attempting a catch off Matthew Hayden in the post lunch session Saturday. The finger bled profusely and Kumble was rushed to hospital where he received ten stitches on the one-inch deep cut.
Kumble could bowl only 13 overs during the third day and did not return to the field. Kumble’s presence would be crucial to India’s hopes of wrapping up the series. The fact that all the four wickets on the third day went to the spinners – Virender Sehwag and Amit Mishra – underlines the importance of Kumble, who boasts of an enviable record at Kotla including the ‘Perfect 10’ against Pakistan.
The only solace for the Indian skipper is that he hurt himself in the non-bowling finger.