Ganguly hopeful about Harbhajan's fitness

Skipper Sourav Ganguly is hopeful that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh would be fit to play the second Test against West Indies starting at Queen's Park Oval Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Friday.

"He should be okay for the second Test," Ganguly said on Monday, hoping he would not have to face a situation like the one he had in the first Test where he missed the services of the champion off-spinner.

Harbhajan Singh, being regarded as India's most potent weapon against a relatively young West Indian side, had to miss the first Test due to a last-minute shoulder injury.

Though it was not a serious one, a flare up of an old injury, physio Andrew Leipus suggested giving the off-spinner rest for the first Test.

Since then, he has undergone various exercises prescribed by Leipus as well as electrical massage treatment.

Coach John Wright said Harbhajan Singh had his first serious bowl in almost a week's time at the back of the hotel where he practiced with a tennis ball and bowled 5 overs. He also bowled a few overs in the hotel's tennis court on Monday.

Wright said if Sarandeep Singh, who flew in to replace the injured off-spinner in the first Test, was asked to return home following Harbhajan's fitness, he would like him to return only after the second Test.

"We have to be absolutely certain (about Harbhajan being fit for the Test). Another Test is due shortly and we can't take chances," Wright said.

Mail Cricket Editor