Ganguly to miss second one-dayer

Sourav Ganguly, who pulled his right hamstring while fielding in the first one-dayer against Australia in Bangalore, has been rested for the second game in Kochi as a precautionary measure.

The team management has informed that the injury is not serious, and that Ganguly should be available for the remainder of the series. Ganguly went off the field in the 27th over of the first ODI at Bangalore.

"An MRI scan was performed on Sourav's right hamstring this morning and it has determined no injury to the region," Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, said in a statement.

"Based on the findings, a vigorous rehab approach will be commencing immediately. On the report of team physio John Gloster and other analysis, the team management feels that Sourav will progress quickly and hence it was decided to rest him for a game."

Ganguly was confident of regaining his fitness for the third game. "Thankfully, it's a strain and not a tear... I should be available for the third match," he told the Kolkata-based Telegraph. The team's cricket manager, Lalchand Rajput, also echoed his views: "It's not a tear, but Sourav has to rest ... one can't take a chance."

Meanwhile offspinner Harbhajan Singh admitted to the same newspaper that he was recovering from a stiff neck. "I can now turn my head to the left... I'm much better and should be available for Tuesday's match."

The second one-dayer gets underway on October 2 while the third, at Hyderabad, is scheduled for October 5.