Zaheer, Laxman doubtful, Ganguly suspended

India captain Sourav Ganguly has been suspended for one match for showing dissent during his team's 67-run loss to New Zealand in the triangular one-day tournament on Thursday.

''I have been informed by the match referee, Cammie Smith of West Indies, that Ganguly has been suspended for one game,'' India team manager A.N. Mathe said on Thursday.

''The suspension is with immediate effect and means Ganguly will miss India's next game of the triangular series against Sri Lanka on Saturday.''

Mathe said the suspension was with regard to a complaint made by the umpires that Ganguly had shown dissent after he was given out LBW for four to New Zealand paceman Kyle Mills by Sri Lankan umpire Gamini Silva.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid will lead the Indian team on Saturday.

This is Ganguly's third suspension from an international match. He was banned for a game against Australia in the southern city of Cochin in 1998 and a one-day game against Zimbabwe at Rajkot last year.

The Indian team have other problems, with batsman VVS Laxman and left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan doubtful for the rest of the tournament due to injuries.

''Laxman has a swelling in his right knee which needs to be operated on,'' Mathe said. ''he may play Saturday's match but he will fly back to India after that.''

Laxman has been advised to take four weeks rest from the date of surgery and may also be ruled out for India's three-Test series against Sri Lanka which starts in Galle on August 14.

Mathe said Khan had injured his right shin and would be returning to India following Saturday's game.

''He may come back if he is cleared on time.''

India are already without leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has a fractured right foot.

They have lost all three of their games in the tournament. New Zealand have won two of their four matches, while Sri Lanka are sitting on top of the standings with a 100 percent record from three games.

The final is scheduled for August 5.

Mail Cricket Editor