Already down 0-2 in the 4 match test series against England, India get two body blows as they now loose out key players like Harbhajan and Yuvraj due to injury. Indian camp was already struck with injuries. Players like Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir didn’t play the 2nd test due to injury. Now they lose their premier spinner and current best all rounder. In place of these two, Virat Kohli and Pragyan Ojha have been selected in the Indian squad.
Virat Kohli to replace injured Yuvraj Singh
Harbhajan who is suffering from grade-I abdominal muscle strain had a test match to forget where he bowled only 13.4 overs and took just 1 wicket leaking plenty of runs. He was simply not at his best and his performance reflected that. Yuvraj who was introduced into the test team after years made a half century in the 1st innings but unfortunately injured his left index finger facing a delivery from Tim Bresnan in the second innings. Talking about the players condition, the secretary of Indian Cricket Board N. Srinivasan said – “Harbhajan Singh has a grade-I abdominal muscle strain. Yuvraj will take around four weeks to recover and Harbhajan is likely to recover in three weeks. Both Kohli and Ojha will join the Indian team at the earliest.”
The players who have been selected as replacements are also not in good form. Kohli was dropped from the Indian test team after a very poor performance at the Caribbean. He only managed to score 76 runs in the whole series. But he will be trying to make the most of this opportunity and repay the faith which is shown in him. On the other hand Ojha played his last test match way back in Nagpur last year, when India played New Zeland.
The biggest plus for India will be the arrival of Virender Sehwag. Sehwag arriaved in England Wednesday evening and will play a two day warm up match against Northants on Friday. Sehwag missed the first two tests because he was recovering from his shoulder surgery. India will be hoping that they can use him in the 3rd test at Edgbaston along with Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir.
Tags: Cricket, England, Harbhajan Singh, India, Pragyan Ojha, Test Series, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh
