There is uncertainity over Rahul Dravid’s participation in the South Zone one-day tournament with the batsman still to recover completely from the finger injury on the right hand he suffered during the final Test against Australia in Adelaide last month.

With only two days left for the tournament to begin in Chennai, Dravid — initially named to lead the defending champions — indicated on Friday that he would need at least another week to fully recuperate, effectively ruling himself out of the six-team event, at least for the earlier matches.

“He may play in the last couple of matches depending upon how he feels at that time,” said State chief selector Raghuram Bhat. But with the South Africa Test series just a over month away, it’s unlikely Dravid would take such a big risk.

Dravid was advised three weeks’ rest following a hair-line fracture on his right middle finger, forcing him to retire on the morning of the final day of the fourth Test. He was struck on the glove by a Brett Lee bouncer and walked off after showing signs of discomfort.

In the event of Dravid’s unavailability, his deputy C Raghu would lead the side. Raghu had earlier led Karnataka during their tour of Australia. Karnataka take on Andhra in their opening match on February 26.