Tendulkar has groin strain, I have a niggle: Kumble

Chennai, March 30 (IANS) India skipper Anil Kumble Sunday dispelled concern over injuries to himself and Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the second cricket Test against South Africa starting April 3 in Ahmedabad.

'It is just a niggle,' said Kumble when asked about his absence from the field during the post-lunch period on the fifth and final day of the first Test that eventually ended in a draw here.

On Tendulkar's repeated trips to the dressing room through the day, Kumble said it was due to an upset stomach and also a 'slight groin strain'.

On persistent questioning, he admitted that Tendulkar had 'aggravated' a niggle (groin strain) but said he was hopeful Sachin would be fit for the second Test.

Former team physiotherapist John Gloster had earlei this month submitted a report on the team's return from Australia, saying that Tendulkar was carrying a groin strain that required three weeks of rest. However, Tendulkar had claimed he was fully fit.

Regarding fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who sat out the first Test owing to a finger injury, Kumble said: 'Ishant will remain in the squad for the second Test. We didn't play him here as a precautionary measure.'

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