Laxman fit for the final

VVS Laxman: can he pull out a great knock in the final? © AFP

VVS Laxman is fit enough to play in the Asia Cup final, according to Andrew Leipus, the Indian team's physiotherapist. Laxman injured himself during practice, and missed three games as a result.

"He is fit enough for the final," said Leipus, although he quickly added, "but not quite there yet." Leipus went on: "The injury kept him out of the Sri Lanka game [on July 18], then he got hit again on the same spot. There is a bit of damage there with the bone getting bruised and that is quite discomforting. It should normally take three to four weeks [to heal] but he should be 100% for the final."

Laxman himself was optimistic about his chances of playing in the final. He was quoted in the Hindustan Times as saying, "The leg is really improving, the mobility is much better. There was a lot of swelling and inflammation in my left knee. I got hit thrice in one week, but I'm looking forward to the final."

A three-day break before the final meant that Laxman stood a great chance of recovering in time. He explained: "We have three days, I have been swimming, and begun cycling. I will start jogging soon and will get more mobility. It will not hamper my performance in the final. As such I'm pain-free, a little stiff, but getting much better."

The other injury worry for the Indian team has been Zaheer Khan. However, Leipus was confident of Zaheer making it to the final, saying: "Zaheer is a little bit stiff but he'll do a lot of training over the next two days and then we will have a full-strength squad for the final."