“Sourav batted in the— game in Mutare— the new ball had either just been taken or imminent when I saw Sourav walking from the field holding his right arm. I assumed he had been hit— and made my way to— where Sourav was receiving treatment from the team physiotherapist John Gloster. When I enquired as to what had happened Sourav said he had felt a click in his elbow as he played a ball through the leg side and that he thought he should have it investigated. Sourav had complained of pain in his elbow at various stages of the one-day series but he had resisted having any comprehensive investigations— from my observation, had been spasmodic in his treatment habits often not using ice packs for the arm— prepared for him by John Gloster. I suggested, as had John Gloster, that we get some further tests done immediately. Sourav resisted these suggestions and said he would be ’fine’.”Without comment, let’s trace injury scare• 1. Rising delivery in the Lanka series takes Sourav’s hand.• 2. He complains about his elbow but won’t take it seriously.• 3. In the Zimbabwe warm-up tie he goes out to face new ball, returns after a ’click’ in arm.• 4. Treated by Gloster but refuses full investigation. Says he is okay, just taking precautions.• 5. Back home, and after the e-mail fiasco, talks of “a little pain” again. Says he’s sure it’s nothing much.• 6. Consults orthopaedic surgeon in Kolkata• 7. Finally goes in for an MRI scan.• 8. Agrees to meet Gloster again, in Mumbai on Friday. Maybe Dr Anant Joshi too.• 9. Runs around the Eden, dragging a parachute.His options are fewGloster declares him fit and he takes part in the Challenger. Performs and is confirmed yet again for the series versus Sri Lanka and South Africa (considering the teams will be picked for the two one-day series in one go).Or: Gloster says no go. Sourav misses Challengers. That could keep him off selection options for the two home series. The beginning of the end.Way out: Performs for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy vs North in Rajkot from October 20 to 23. He has by them missed the selection and the camp (October 19 to 21 in Bangalore). The skipper has also probably been named for the ensuing series. But stop. Here is a case reference. For the series in Sri Lanka, the then banned Sourav was actually the16th man!
