Dravid, Yuvi doubtful for SA test

Key batsmen Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh, both nursing injuries, are doubtful starters for the first Test against South Africa, India coach Gary Kirsten said here on Tuesday.

"Yuvi (Yuvraj) will be out for a while. He would be struggling for the first Test (against South Africa). And for Dravid, he is also not sure. It is a bit of concern because we want a full strength side against South Africa," Kirsten said. Dravid had his cheek bone fractured by a Shahadat Hossain bouncer on Monday after which he retired hurt. Yuvraj too has a ligament tear in his left wrist, which ruled out his further participation in the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh.

India's first Test against South Africa begins on February 6 in Nagpur. "It is a difficult situation we are in. But you cannot do anything about injuries. It's out of our control. We have to wait and watch and what stands for these players in the few days ahead," Kirsten said. Kirsten said despite their injuries, Dravid and Yuvraj would not be sent home. The South African, however, assured that Sachin Tendulkar was fine. "Sachin is all right, he is fine," Kirsten said.

Tendulkar came tumbling down while trying to catch Tamim Iqbal off Virender Sehwag.