Srinath gears up for comeback

BANGALORE, June 10: ``It has been frustrating to sit out of the team especially when I was doing so well,'' said India's pace bowler Javaga...

BANGALORE, June 10: “It has been frustrating to sit out of the team especially when I was doing so well,” said India’s pace bowler Javagal Srinath, who had to return from the Windies tour owing to a shoulder injury, which necessitated arthroscopic surgery.

Srinath, who returned on Saturday after a successful operation in South Africa, and hoped that he would be back in action within the next three months.

“Physiotherapy did not help me much and I had no other option but to undergo surgery,” Srinath told The Indian Express here on Monday.

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“I am relieved because I made the decision to go in for surgery. The slight pain notwithstanding, there has been perceptible improvement,” said a relaxed Srinath.

Renowned orthopaedician Dr Ferguson operated upon Srinath after ruling that surgery was the only course of recovery. “The doctor has assured me that my pace will not be affected by the operation, and I could bowl as fast as before. But, we will have to wait and see,” he said.

“I am taking physiotherapy. It will be another month-and-a-half before I can return to the field. The progress would be slow,” he observed.

Srinath was not sure what caused damage to his shoulder. “I am not sure whether it was due to the injury to my shoulder while playing or excessive bowling, but it is depressing and disappointing to be away from the scene of action.” His bowling action had nothing to do with the injury, he said emphatically.

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Srinath refused to hazard a guess as to when he would be fit enough to play for the country. “We will have to wait and see,” was all he wished to say at the moment.