Tewari set to return home, no replacement sought

Dhaka, May 9 (UNI) It's curtains for rookie batting sensation Manoj Tewari even before the series got off as he injured his shoulder when he tried to stop a cherry rolling over the boundary ropes during the practice session last evening.

However, skipper Rahul Dravid stood by young Bengal batsman and said, ''We are all with him. The board is behind him. He is in good hands and he will soon bounce back. Im sure.'' Tewari had a nasty fall when he dived full length to stop a ball while fielding at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium here last evening.

According to BCCI sources, ''Manoj has been taken to the doctor for an MRI scan and he has been advised rest for the next five days. Any further decision will be taken thereafter.'' Meanwhile, Tewari told UNI, ''I have a lot of pain on my shoulder. I don't know how bad it is.'' Dravid today informed that Tewari would no more take any part in the tournament. ''Its very disappointing. It is not a happy situation. But he will get his chances in future.'' He has to ideally go back and take rest if he is not actively participating in the tournament. I have not talked with John Gloster about this,'' he added.

On whether a replacement would be sought, he said, ''Dilip Vengsarkar will come in this evening. But I feel we have sufficient cover for Manoj. We will sit and discuss the matter.'' On how Tewari took this injury, Dravid said, ''He has reacted in a very matured manner for a 20-year-old. He is sad. But he is a tough kid and will bounce back.'' Tewari got into the side after scoring tones of runs this domestic season and had a realistic chance of making it to the playing eleven after senior pros like Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar were ''rested'' for the ODI matches.

Even Dravid called him an ''exciting prospect''.

UNI