Ace spinner Harbhajan Singh is waiting for formal clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to go to Baltimore, in the United States, for surgery on his injured hand.

"I want to get it over as quickly as possible. Now that it's identified it's better I don't lose any time on it," said Harbhajan Singh from his home in Jalandhar.

Harbhajan said his meeting with the Board's medical experts, Drs Anant Joshi and Sudhir Warrior, was useful, in the sense they could identify the problem. He said reports indicated that surgery on the troublesome right index finger is absolutely necessary.

"Now a report by the doctors on my injury and suggested operation will go to the Board president's office, and once the formal clearance is gained, I will head off for the US," said Harbhajan.

"Of course, I can't really comment when I will be off for the US, because we also have to ensure the availability of doctors and confirm the dates," he said.

In all probability, Harbhajan said, the same doctor who operated on Sachin Tendulkar's finger in April, will perform the surgery.

"I spoke to Sachin (Tendulkar) and he too advised me to go in for an operation as quickly as possible. Since it is a hand injury, it's better it is attended to quickly," Harbhajan, who underwent an MRI scan at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai on Friday, said.

Harbhajan has been carrying the injury in his bowling arm because of the unusually wide and tight grip he employs to gain extra spin, a method criticised by former India great Bishan Singh Bedi and former Haryana offie Sarkar Talwar.

Bedi has advised Harbhajan to use a firm rather than tight grip to avoid extra strain on his bowling hand.

"I respect the advice of my seniors. But only I know what is good for me. If I go for a firm rather than tight grip, who knows I might not be able to land the ball at all in the right areas," Harbhajan said.