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Harbhajan back in Indian squad

Thursday, July 8 2004

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been named in the fourteen-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup, ending a seven-month absence from international cricket, due to a finger injury.

Harbhajan, who missed the VB series in Australia as well as the five-match One-Day series in Pakistan against the hosts alongwith the Tests, underwent surgery in late December, and spent the following months rehabbing.

Apart from Harbhajan, left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan also makes a comeback, after missing out two of the three Tests against Pakistan, as a result of a hamstring injury. He faced this particular injury problem for most part of the last twelve months, but did eventually pass the fitness tests leading upto the about-to-conclude special camp set up for the Asia Cup, thus pressing for selection in the final fourteen.

Those unlucky to miss out from the team that played Pakistan are Ajit Agarkar and Murali Kartik. Ashish Nehra gets the nod ahead of Agarkar, thus joining Zaheer and the youngsters Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji, as one of the pace quartet.

Test wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel has been retained in the squad, despite it being no secret that Rahul Dravid is still the first preference for the job, so as to provide the balance to the side.

The Asia Cup gets under way on July 16, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India have been placed in Group B, with the hosts and the United Arab Emirates. Group A consists of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Two teams from each group will qualify for a second roung robin stage, the top two in which will advance to the Finals.

Indian squad:
Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Irfan Pathan, Lakshmipathy Balaji.

Posted by Sudeep