Injured Harbhajan, Yuvraj ruled out of test series

(Reuters): India spinner Harbhajan Singh and batsman Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out of the rest of the test series against England with injuries, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said on Wednesday.

Right-handed batsman Virat Kohli will replace Yuvraj and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha will come in for Harbhajan, the BCCI said in a statement.

Left-hander Yuvraj fractured his index finger after he was hit by a short-pitched delivery from England seamer Tim Bresnan during India’s 319-run defeat in the second test at Trent Bridge. Harbhajan suffered a grade one abdominal muscle strain in the same match.

“While Yuvraj Singh’s injury may take around 4 weeks to recover, Harbhajan Singh is likely to recover in 3 weeks’ time,” BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said.

“The all-India senior selection committee has picked Virat Kohli and Pragyan Ojha as their replacements. Both players will join the Indian team at the earliest.”

India, 2-0 down in the four-match series, have struggled with injuries during the tour and England will take over at the top of the world rankings for the first time if they win the series by a two-test margin.

The top-ranked Indians have missed prolific opening batsman Virender Sehwag in both tests because of a shoulder injury, leading pace bowler Zaheer Khan was injured on day one of the first test at Lord’s and regular opener Gautam Gambhir missed the second test with a bruised arm.



Sehwag will join his team mates on Wednesday and Gambhir is also likely to return to the side for the third test beginning on Aug. 10 in Birmingham.

There was, however, no word on the fitness of Zaheer. India will play a two-day tour game against Northamptonshire starting on Friday.