Azhar unfit for 1st Test, the drama continues

After an eventful second day at the Brabourne stadium, the press was resigned to a routine day's reporting on Monday. However, that was not to be. Just after lunch, Chandu Borde, chairman of the selection committee made a surprise appearance in the Press Box. "Gentlemen, I have an announcement to make..." he began. It immediately became clear that the Tendulkar-Azharuddin saga was far from over.

Borde went on to explain that Azharuddin's thumb injury had not healed and that he would not be available for selection for the first Test. About the same time yesterday, it was confirmed that Azhar had not sustained any fractures and that the light bruising on his thumb would heal in 24 hours. However, the chairman explained that the swelling had not subsided and that Azhar was referred to a specialist doctor again today. The specialist in question, Dr. Nitin Gajjar declared that Azhar's injury would take at least a week to heal. Dr. Gajjar is an orthopaedic surgeon and, what is more relevant, a hand specialist. Azhar's medical condition will be reviewed after seven days. That seven day period expires on February 28.

Borde added that Azhar would be considered for selection for the second Test match if he was fit. The team for the second Test is to be announced on the fourth day of the first Test match. That happens to be February 27. Whether it is symbolic that Azhar's fitness will be known only after the team for the second Test is announced is anybody's guess.

As if all that wasn't enough, Borde returned to the Press Box 20 minutes later and said that Azhar had actually chipped the bone on his right thumb. How this chipped bone did not show up in the X-Rays taken yesterday defies explanation and logic.

Ajay Jadeja has been named as replacement for Azharuddin. Jadeja himself has been plagued by injury in the recent past and his inclusion in the squad is not something Indian cricket has really been looking forward to. If Jadeja makes it to the playing eleven after not being originally in the 14 man squad, it would be a disappointing day for the likes of Mohammed Kaif.