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The Rediff Interview / Dr Anant Joshi

'Chances of a recurrence are extremely rare'

D r Anant Joshi, the doctor who diagnosed Ajit Agarkar's stress fracture spoke to Rediff On The Net comprehensively on the nature of the pace spearhead's injury. An excerpt from the interview with Faisal Shariff.

Dr Joshi, what was the nature of Ajit's injury?

Actually, Ajit had a stress fracture of the second metatarsal of the second toe of his left foot. A fracture heals naturally; it takes approximately six weeks to heal and another six weeks to consolidate. So, in all it takes about three months to heal completely. I have been telling all journalists that it is an injury of the metatarsal, which is nothing but toe bones, but I have been misquoted time and again. They have quoted me as saying that the injury ranged from the ankle right up to the shin.

What are the chances of a recurrence, going by the fact that Ajit is prone to injuries.

You see, chances of a recurrence are extremely rare. The best of cricketers have had injuries and have survived it. And they have performed at the same level as they did prior to the injury. Take the example of Imran Khan: he had a stress fracture and he got back to the same level of his game. Dennis Lillee had multiple stress fractures of the spine; he recovered remarkably from his injury.

So is Ajit fully fit to play at the highest level?

Yes, he is fully fit to play again. I had diagnosed his injury and have seen his recovery. His movements are satisfactory and now it is up to the BCCI, Dr Ravindra Chhadha and Kokinos to assess his fitness.

What do you attribute his injury to?

Actually, this is an injury that is common among army recruits. You see, when the body is not accustomed to certain routines, it suffers this stress fracture.

Hard grounds are another reason for this injury. When one plays on hard grounds there are chances of having lower extremity injuries. The risk is more whenever you play on synthetic grounds than when you play on natural surface. The simple reason being that natural surfaces are soft, as against synthetic ones which are hard.

Do you think excess cricket has been the reason for Ajit's injury?

I think this is a case of excessive fatigue. Whether it is due to the excessive cricket is something that I would not like to comment upon.

Is it true that you have been appointed by the BCCI to pass the fitness test of both Vinod Kambli and Ajit Agarkar?

That is not true, the board has consulted me and asked for my presence at the fitness test whenever it is held, in the presence of Dr Chhadha and Kokinos. After all, it is going to be their call in the end. They are going to be with the squad for the entire period, so it makes sense to have them for the fitness test.

What do you think of Vinod Kambli's injury?

I am aware of his injury but I have not seen him recently so it will be difficult for me to talk about his fitness. But Ashok Mankad had some very interesting statements to make on his fitness, considering the fact that he has seen him from close quarters.