Harbhajan likely to play Test despite injury

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is likely to play the first Test against West Indies starting on Thursday despite suffering a shoulder injury during a tour match, team officials said on Monday.

Singh pulled a muscle in his right shoulder against a Guyana Cricket Board President's XI side on Sunday and had to be taken to Trinidad for tests.

"So far he is available for selection," Gautam Dasgupta, manager of the Indian cricket team, told Reuters. "Most probably he will play."

Team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus said a final decision on his fitness could only be made after the medical reports arrive on Tuesday.

"Things are looking bright so far, but we can't guarantee till the reports come in," Leipus said.

Dasgupta said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), had called in off-spinner Sarandeep Singh as back-up.

"It will be too late if it's announced at the last minute that Harbhajan is unfit. So the board decided to send Sarandeep as back-up in any case," he said.

Sarandeep, who made his debut against Zimbabwe in late 2000, is expected to arrive on the eve of the Test.

Harbhajan, nicknamed "The Turbanator", sprung to prominence when he captured 32 wickets to lead India to a stunning 2-1 comeback home series win against Australia early last year.

Mail Cricket Editor