Calcutta: Gautam Gambhir has still not recovered completely from the after-effects of concussion, suffered during a fall in the last Test against England, at The Oval, and won’t feature in the CLT20 qualifiers beginning next week.
In fact, even if the Kolkata Knight Riders qualify, by winning in Hyderabad, there’s no guarantee that the regular captain is going to feature in the tournament proper.
As expected, Jacques Kallis will lead in Gambhir’s absence.
“I’m definitely better, but as I haven’t engaged in any (demanding) physical activity for a fortnight, I can’t comment on exactly how I am... It’s only gradually that I’m going to get back to my cricket-related routine,” Gambhir told The Telegraph.
Speaking on Tuesday evening, soon after conveying a leading New Delhi-based neurologist’s opinion to the Knights’ management, he added: “The doctor’s view is that while I’m recovering well, returning to competitive cricket on September 19 would be much too early. I’ve got to begin with light physical activity, nothing more.”
The franchise’s second qualifying match is on September 21.
According to Gambhir, there’s “some discomfort” when he either looks down or turns to the extreme right. The vision continues to get blurred somewhat.
“I hope the Knights qualify... The first match is then going to be on September 25... That’s some way off, yes, but I won’t be rushing,” Gambhir maintained.
Gambhir, the India vice-captain then, played in three of the four Tests against England. He returned home on September 1, without featuring in the solitary T20 International and missing the ODIs.
Asked if he’d been following the ODI series on the TV, Gambhir replied: “A bit... Have been watching some of the action... Mostly, I’ve been catching up with the family, spending time with my folks.”
The Knights have left the availability issue entirely to Gambhir. Obviously, the franchise hasn’t forgotten the controversy generated by his pulling out of the West Indies tour afterthe Knights’ IPL IV campaign ended, in end-May.
Gambhir did so after aggravating an injury in the right shoulder, which actually occurred during the April 2 World Cup final.
He ended up getting plenty of flak.
While Gambhir didn’t talk about it, a confidant did say that the 29-year-old was “deeply hurt” by whispers in certain quarters that he should have made a bigger effort to play in England.
“Gambhir alone knows what he has gone through... To sully his image is totally uncalled for,” the confidant said.
Unfortunately, Gambhir is rather injury-prone.
