Gambhir

Calcutta: Gautam Gambhir, who consulted a neurologist just hours after returning home on Thursday morning, has been advised “10 days” of complete rest.

He didn’t play in the one-off T20 International against England and won’t feature in the five-match ODI series either.

Not that Gambhir played in all four Tests. Struck on the left elbow at Lord’s, in the opener, he was forced to miss the next match, at Trent Bridge.

“The neurologist (at a premier hospital in New Delhi) will see me again after 10 days... That’s when things are going to be clear... My vision is still blurred, at times, and it’s frustrating,” Gambhir told The Telegraph, while being driven home after his appointment.

Vice-captain during the Test series, Gambhir fell on his head while attempting to catch Kevin Pietersen in the last match (at The Oval) and suffered what was then described as “mild concussion.”

He did bat down the order in both innings, despite being in no condition to do so, and that probably aggravated the injury.

But, then, Gambhir had no choice as India were heading towards another defeat and a series rout. He spent 67 minutes at the crease in the first innings (at No.9) and 46 in the second (at No.8).

“It was a bad impact... I won’t be rushing into anything... The scan in London didn’t reveal any damage to the brain, but the neurologist observed that a swelling doesn’t always show up. The blurred vision has nothing directly to do with the eyes,” Gambhir pointed out.

He added: “I’d been pushing myself to get fit (after the Test series), but I realised that I couldn’t face quicks bowling at 90 mph with my vision blurred... After a while, I tend to lose focus on an object... I’ve got to rest, there’s no way out... It’s destiny.”

Gambhir has been given medication for a week and if his condition doesn’t improve, then a second opinion will be taken. After all, the 29-year-old does have plenty of cricket left.

“My family is really worried,” he remarked.

Nobody is indispensable, but Gambhir has quality and plenty of character. Plus he’s suited for all forms of the game.

At this stage, Gambhir isn’t sure of participating in the CLT20 qualifiers, in Hyderabad, on September 19 and 21. The tournament proper begins on September 23.

Gambhir’s franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders, have a conditioning camp (in Hyderabad itself) from September 10.

“I’m going to be guided by what the neurologist says in 10 days time... I will keep the Board posted, so that there’s no controversy... No country vs club/franchise debate, which unfortunately happened at the end of IPL-IV...

“More than the opinion of any specialist, I must feel absolutely fit and my conscience has to be clear... As a professional, I’m aware of my responsibilities,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir carried a right shoulder injury throughout the last IPL and, when it got aggravated, he had to opt out of the West Indies tour. It caused a furore.

The earliest that Gambhir can return to India duty is during England’s tour of India next month, for five ODIs and a solitary T20 International.

While that’s going to be big, the biggest in 2011-12 will be the tour of Australia, from around the middle of December.