Gambhir to be dropped from West Indies tour

Kolkata Knight Riders’ skipper Gautam Gambhir will be dropped from ODI squad for the West Indies tour as he has been advised 4-6 weeks rest to recover from a sore shoulder.

Gambhir’s injury will stir a new club versus country debate as he was advised rest on a day when he took field for the crucial playoff against Mumbai Indians and kept the BCCI in dark.

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) questioned the KKR management and demanded an explanation. However, the team tried to pass the buck claiming that they informed the Board about Gambhir’s injury on May 23.

In a letter to the BCCI, Kolkata Knight Riders? physiotherapist Andrew Leipus informed that Gambhir had complained of a sore shoulder right at the start of IPL-IV, but Gambhir played all 15 matches so far in this season of the IPL.

According to the KKR physio Andrew Leipus, Gambhir has to avoid both batting and throwing for a period of four to six weeks to allow his shoulder to heal. This surely rules him out of India?s tour of West Indies next month where he was to captain the side.

Leipus has also informed that the shoulder injury occurred during the World Cup final when Gambhir landed on his outstretched arm while going for a catch. The physio has said that there had been a significant reduction of power in Gambhir?s throwing arm owing to the weak shoulder.