Harbhajan in minor injury scare

Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, has had an injury scare in the lead-up to the Test series against Australia. He seemed to be in some discomfort while bowling in the nets at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Monday.

"He underwent an MRI scan around the pelvic and hip area," PTI quoted local hospital sources as saying. "There is no serious injury but since he got a sprain, it would be advisable to take rest for the next few days."

During the net session, Harbhajan took a break and came back with Nitin Patel, the Indian team physio, by his side. Either side of the break, though, Harbhajan bowled sizeable spells. PTI also reported that he bowled in the nets at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh in the evening, after the conclusion of the three-day tour game between the Australians and the Indian Board President's XI.

Harbhajan's previous Test series was a fitness disaster. In Sri Lanka he started off with a flu, played the first two Tests at less than full fitness, and sat out the third with a calf strain. He managed only two wickets in those two Tests. He made his comeback to top-flight cricket in the Champions League T20 in South Africa.

The first Test between India and Australia begins in Mohali on October 1.