The Indian paceman, who last played against Australia at Perth and then was part of the national team that won in Pakistan in 2004, has been diagnosed with ‘slap region tear’, an injury somewhat similar to what Sachin Tendulkar is currently recuperating from.

Bhandari led Delhi last season, but subsequently resigned, expressing disgust over the selection of certain players in the team.

Bhandari will be operated upon this week by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pushpinder Bajaj at his private clinic, and is expected to be out of action for close to three months.

“Bhandari was advised surgery last year itself but at that time, he was in contention for a place in the Indian team. We both agreed to postpone, since this injury only affects deep-field throwing, not bowling,” revealed Dr Bajaj.

“I have to look the extent of the damage and then determine how much time is needed for rehabilitation. But he should be fit again in time for the next season,” he added.

The 29-year-old has a problem in his right biceps that aggravated when he represented his employers ONGC at the inter-Petroleum tournament in Vadodara earlier this month.

“I suddenly felt a severe pain running through my arm and I immediately contacted John Gloster (Indian team physiotherapist) who made me go through an MRI scan.

He then recommended me to Dr Bajaj and advised me to undergo my operation under his supervision.

I will keep Gloster informed about my status and he has promised me to work out my rehab plans,” Bhandari told Sportline.

The new domestic season commenes in November and therefore, according to Bhandari he has ample time to recover and go through his 10-12 weeks of recuperation and get fit to play in pre-season tournaments like Buchi Babu tournament at Chennai and JP Atray at Chandigarh.

“I will be completely fit and raring for the new season and that’s the reason I am going for it now. I don’t want to be bothered by any niggles when I am playing next season,” he concluded on an optimistic note.