Ahmedabad, April 2:

India’s hopes of finding a winning formula for Thursday’s second Test against South Africa here suffered a setback due to fitness fears over skipper and key spinner Anil Kumble.

Kumble, with 607 wickets in 126 Tests, looks a doubtful starter after failing to recover from a groin strain suffered during the drawn opening Test in Chennai on Sunday. “We still have not decided on the team combination because there are a couple of injury concerns. I am feeling better, but we’ll wait till tomorrow morning,” Kumble said today.

The hosts are also without Sachin Tendulkar, who is ruled out of the match after aggravating a groin injury in the first Test and makes way for Mohammad Kaif. Venkatsai Laxman is expected to replace Tendulkar in the number-four slot.

The Indian captain said they were not worried over South Africa’s plans to counter opener Virender Sehwag with short-pitched deliveries following the batsman’s fastest recorded triple-century in the previous Test.

Visiting captain Graeme Smith said it was one of the options. “I think as a team it is important to come up with a plan. We have this option of bowling short to him (Sehwag). We have a few things to work on. Hopefully, we execute them over the next five days,” said Smith. Smith said South Africa were likely to be unchanged after an impressive performance in Chennai.