Zol's groin problem is a concern: Maharashtra coach Bhave

Mumbai: Maharashtra are a bit concerned about the fitness of India's triumphant under-19 captain Vijay Zol, who has a troublesome groin, but are hopeful that he will be fit for their Ranji Trophy quarter final against defending champions Mumbai, commencing here on Wednesday.

Zol, who led the country's colts to the Asia Cup title with a century in the final against arch-foes Pakistan in Sharjah on Saturday, has consulted a doctor and Maharashtra would know tomorrow whether he is available for the game, said coach Surendra Bhave here today.

"There's a little bit of a concern. Dr Abhishek Joshi had a good look at him...will know tomorrow afternoon if he will play. He complained of a little bit of problem in groin when he got that 100 in the (Asia Cup) under-19 final," said Bhave after the team's practice session today at the Wankhede Stadium.

Bhave though was optimistic that the one-down batsman would take the field in this high-profile Indian "War of Roses".

"Sure he will be alright. He did come here. We had to let him go as he had a long flight. Flight from Bangalore to Mumbai was 2 hours late. He has taken well to first class cricket and is one of the form players," said the visiting team's coach.

The former national selector sounded confident ahead of the Group C toppers' clash against the 40-time champions.

"They are ready for this stage. Have played confident cricket and believe they can continue. In the knock out (stage) you get good teams anyway. We are best prepared this time to play in quarter finals than in previous years," he said. 

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Sea race for Maharashtra swimmers on Jan 5

Representative picture -- File photo.

Mumbai: Swimmers from Maharashtra including Virdhawal Khade would take part in the annual Arabian sea swimming competition from Sunk Rock to Gateway of India on January 5 next year and the event has attracted more than 450 swimmers.

"The race is restricted to swimmers of Maharashtra. It's the 55th year we are conducting it", said the state swimming association's secretary Kishore Vaidya at the media conference today to announce the "Square Off Mumbai Swimathon".

State's star swimmer Khade, who brought India a medal - bronze - at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou after a gap of 24 years and did not take part in the 2012 London Olympics for which he had qualified, said the race provided a good platform for Maharashtra's young swimmers to catch the eye.

"It has a huge history and I am honoured to be a part of it," said event brand ambassador Khade who clinched the 50m butterfly stroke bronze in the Asiad in China, the first medal for the country in the pan-Asian sports extravaganza after Khazan Singh's silver in the 200m fly at Seoul in 1986.

"We had revived the race last year after it was stopped in 2008 in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack," said Vaidya.

The organisers will give away prizes in cash and kind worth around ten lakh, it was announced.

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