India's injured Sehwag and Harbhajan to fly home by AFP

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Player:	V Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh
Event:	India in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 13th February 2006

 

Indian opener Virender Sehwag and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh are set to return home after injuries ruled them out of the ongoing one-day series against Pakistan, officials said Monday.

 

"Sehwag has a left posterior shoulder muscle injury which was re-aggravated whilst batting in the second one-day match on Saturday and he has been advised two weeks rest," chief selector Kiran More said.

 

More said Sehwag needs to rest before India's three-match Test and seven-match one-day series at home against England next month.

 

Sehwag hit 67 in India's seven-wicket win in the second one-dayer against Pakistan at Rawalpindi. The five-match series is now level at 1-1 and the third one-dayer was being played Monday in Lahore.

 

Harbhajan, who failed to get a wicket in the preceding two Tests, injured his finger in the third and final Test in Karachi. He missed the first two one-day matches.

 

"Harbhajan's index finger injury of the right hand still has swelling and he has been advised seven to 10 days rest," said More.

 

Harbhajan is seen as the key to India's plans in the home series against England.

 

"Keeping in mind the volume of cricket in near future the team management has decided to send the two players back. As there are only two matches left on the Pakistan tour no replacements will be sought," said More, a former wicket-keeper.

 

India won the toss and put Pakistan to bat in Lahore. The last two matches of the series will be played at Multan on Thursday and Karachi on Sunday.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)