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Agarkar's Cup hopes get a reprieve

All-rounder Ajit Agarkar and middle order batsman Vinod Kambli both announced that they were ready for any physical fitness test prescribed by the BCCI.

Kambli, who played whole season with a cast over his injured ankle, said he has now removed it and has no no problem running at full speed, sideways or any which way required by a trainer. He did not agree with his Bombay manager Ashok Mankad's view that he had fitness problems last season. "I am ready for anything," he said on the phone.

Agarkar's certificate regarding his full recovery from stress fracture was signed by Bombay-based sports medicine expert Anant Joshi, who has mentioned that from his end the patient was fit and the pain he was feeling in the last stage of recovery has completely gone. "He can now land his foot with all the force required by a pace bowler," Joshi added.

BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur said normallly the board would take a recuperating player's word for his recovery, but if needed they may have a routine net check in the presence of selectors.

This view was supported by chairman of the selection committee Ajit Wadekar who was keen to observe both the players in the nets before he sits down with his colleagues to prune the list of 30 probables to 19, this Sunday.

Agarkar has not played for India since last December, while Kambli missed the whole international season though he captained Bombay with marginal batting success.

UNI