Zimbabwe's hopes of seizing the initiative against India suffered a setback today when Andy Flower, their star batsman, was declared a doubtful starter for tomorrow's third one-day international against India. "He is doubtful for the match because of a hip-muscle strain," said Stuart Carlisle, Zimbabwe's captain. Flower suffered the injury during the second match at Mohali on Sunday, and batted with a runner during his 35-ball innings of 29.

Carlisle said his team could include an extra seamer in Douglas Hondo if Flower did not recover from the injury in time: "I think playing an extra bowler will give us more options."

Zimbabwe will be looking for an improved performance from their bowlers tomorrow. They conceded 27 extra deliveries and runs in the form of wides and no-balls in the second match at Mohali, where India posted an emphatic 64-run victory to square the five-match series 1-1.

"But we also need to improve our batting," said Carlisle. "It is necessary for us to build partnerships. We have been getting into good positions, but also losing wickets regularly. We need to build stands and I want the top six batsmen to do the job."

Carlisle also thinks that the weather could play a part in the match. "It is very hot," he said. "Australia and South Africa have also struggled here in the past."

Only two one-dayers have been played in this city of the southern state of Kerala, and India have won both – they beat Australia in 1998 and South Africa in 2000.

But India might also go into the match without one of their leading players. Anil Kumble, the legspinner, is suffering from a minor shoulder injury. "There is slight concern over Kumble's fitness," said India's coach John Wright. "We are monitoring the situation. If he does not play, it will only be a precautionary step as we do not want to aggravate his injury."

India are scheduled to tour the West Indies next month, for five Tests and five one-dayers. Kumble was out of international cricket for nearly a year with a shoulder injury before returning for the series in South Africa last November.

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