Madan Lal clarifies his health

Madan Lal, the former India player, has clarified that he is "perfectly fit" after he was advised rest due to high blood pressure and backache.

Reacting to reports about his health in the Indian media last week, Madan Lal told Cricinfo: "I am fine and perfectly fit. The reports were inaccurate and it was not a major issue. It was a minor case of high blood pressure and backache."

Lal, 58, played 39 Tests and 67 ODIs and was part of India's famous World Cup winning-team in 1983. He earned his name by his spell of three quick wickets that broke the back of the West Indies batting in the final at Lord's.

He was both a prolific run-getter and regular wicket-taker at the domestic level as well. His all-round record in the Ranji Trophy - 5270 runs and 351 wickets - is among the best in the national competition. After retirement, he kept in close touch with the game; he was appointed coach of the A team and then the senior squad before becoming a national selector.