Gambhir to miss third Test, Harbhajan doubtful

India opener Gautam Gambhir was ruled out of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka beginning in Colombo on Tuesday after failing to recover from a knee injury which forced him to miss the drawn second Test.

Gambhir's absence means Murali Vijay will again open the innings with Virender Sehwag, in a must-win match for the Indians at the P Sara Oval.

Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0 after winning the first match, while the second ended in a high-scoring dull draw.

Vijay gave a good account of himself in the second Test, when he scored a half-century in the first innings.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who missed Sunday's practice session, also seems a doubtful starter.

However, the team management insisted that the off-spinner's injury is not serious and he is only suffering from a minor side strain.

Both Gambhir and Harbhajan have also been rested for the forthcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka also featuring New Zealand.