Injured Harbhajan leaves
for MRI scan

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was feeling a slight pain in his bowling shoulder but expressed confidence of playing in the first Test against the West Indies, starting on Thursday, before leaving for Trinidad to have an MRI scan done on Monday.

"He was absolutely sure he would be able to play," said Indian team manager Gautam Dasgupta. "But we would have to wait till he returns from Trinidad by 2 pm (2330 IST)."

Harbhajan started feeling pain in his bowling shoulder after making a throw from the boundary line, during the three-day match against Guyana Board President's XI on Sunday.

"He felt a sense of jarring in his shoulder in the dressing room," Dasgupta said. "The discomfort persisted even when we were back in the hotel.

"Harbhajan was then forwarded to physio Andrew Leipus, who after an initial examination said he would like to have an MRI scan done. Since there is no facility in Georgetown, we have sent him to Trinidad with the physio this morning. They should be back in the afternoon," he said.

The news of a possible injury to Harbhajan Singh, who is the key to India's bowling in the Test series, sent shock waves in the visitors' camp. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has already decided to fly in fellow off-spinner Sarandeep Singh as a contingency measure.

Harbhajan Singh has so far taken 93 wickets and was looking forward to completing 100 wickets in the first Test itself.

"Harbhajan kept saying there was no need to have an MRI scan done on him and he would be absolutely fit for the Test but I had to go by the physio's advice," Dasgupta said.

Earlier report
Injured Harbhajan doubtful for first Test

Mail Cricket Editor