India's preparation for the crucial fourth cricket one-dayer against Australia received a jolt with opener Gautam Gambhir sustaining a groin injury during the practice session this morning.
Gambhir was batting in the nets with S Sreesanth bowling at him when the left-hander slipped and hurt himself. Gambhir, accompanied by physio John Gloster and manager Lalchand Rajput, limped out of the ground.
Later, Robin Uthappa told reporters that Gambhir had gone for an MRI and his status would be known only after receiving the report.
"He just slipped in the nets and sustained the injury. He would require an MRI and once we get that report, we would know his status. John is taking care of him," Uthappa said.
Sourav Ganguly, who has recovered from the hamstring injury sustained in the rain-marred first match and missing the subsequent two ODIs, is likely to replace Gambhir even if the Delhi batsman manages to recover in time for tomorrow's match.
The indication was clear in the nets as Ganguly and Tendulkar were the first to go in for the knocking.
Uthappa said there was no fitness worry with the former captain, saying "he's absolutely fine".
The Gambhir-Tendulkar pair has not been able to click in the series so far, scoring 1,11,10 in three matches.
Gambhir was unbeaten on four when rain washed out the series opener in Bangalore and in the other two matches his scores were 6 and 7.
