Injured Sehwag, Gambhir doubtful; Karthik recalled

The Indian cricket team on Sunday were down with injury scares after openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were rendered doubtful starters for Monday's fourth ODI match against Australia in Mohali.

The BCCI said a final decision on whether they would play on Monday would be taken on the morning of the game.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu 'keeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has been brought in as cover for the duo.

"Dinesh Karthik will be joining the Indian team in Mohali," BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir sustained injuries during the third match of the Hero Honda Cup 2009, played at Delhi on October 31. A final decision on their availability for the fourth match, to be played at Mohali on November 2 will be taken on the morning of the game," the statement read.

India won Saturday's match by six wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Although the BCCI did not elaborate on the injuries of the two openers, Sehwag had been hit on his foot by a Peter Siddle yorker in the eighth over which had him in pain, needing the physio's attention.

Gambhir, on the other hand, was struck on the neck by a Ricky Ponting pull shot. The opener didn't field for the rest of Australian innings after that.