March 19, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1429

NEW DELHI, March 18: India’s injury woes ahead of next week’s Test series against South Africa increased on Tuesday after recalled spinner Murali Kartik was ruled out with a torn ligament.

Kartik was on Monday picked in India’s squad for the first two Tests of the three-match series.

But the left-arm spinner suffered a ligament tear in his left ankle while fielding in a domestic one-dayer the same day and doctors said he would be out of action for three weeks.

“It is a serious injury and will take a minimum of three weeks to heal,” said surgeon Chetan Rai, who examined Kartik soon after the incident.—AFP