Ace Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble, laid low and out of cricket action after the shoulder surgery in January this year, has returned to competitive cricket, amid firm indications that he would be fit well in time for the South African tour in October.

Kumble bowled 14 overs, taking three for 49, last weekend, enabling Young Cricketers to score a narrow two-run win over Dooravani Cricketers in a Karnataka State Cricket Association Group I Division III league tie.

This was first competitive outing for Kumble after his shoulder surgery in January. "It felt good. It was nice to go out there in the middle and start bowling in a match again," he said.

Kumble, who has bagged 550 international wickets - 276 in Tests and 274 in one-dayers - had said recently he was much stronger and would be ready for the South African tour. He added he was doing fine but had to work on his bowling and get the confidence back.

After returning about two months back from South Africa, where the progress of his shoulder surgery by specialist Dr. Fergusson was reviewed, Kumble has been bowling in the nets regularly and following the rehabilitation programme. He is bowling five overs per day now but needs to go up to 20 overs per day to think about Test level and hopes to reach that level soon. He has said he did not want to hurry things and wants to be 100 per cent certain of his recovery before coming back to international cricket.

© PTI