Indian news round-up

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is silently preparing for a personal battle as India take on Zimbabwe in the first Test starting in Bulawayo on Thursday. Harbhajan will be up against Andy Flower, arguably one of the best players of spin in contemporary cricket and one who has troubled the Indians the most in recent times.

Flower is in tremendous touch having just equalled a world record of seven successive half-centuries, the streak getting broken when he was run out for 23 against Bangladesh in the Harare Test in April. He has perfected the reverse sweep to deadly effect and has an awesome record against India, aggregating 848 runs from five Tests at a remarkable average of 169.60. He remained unconquered in half of these 10 innings and three hundreds and four fifties speak volumes about the ability of this left-hander.

Harbhajan, who earned the title of 'turbonator' after destroying the Australians by claiming 32 wickets in three Tests, has his strategy planned out against Flower. "There is no point in bowling defensively to him - he usually clouts them to the deep field," says Harbhajan. "He must be bowled up to and encouraged to drive all the time."

Flower is keeping his plans close to his chests but there is little doubt he has noticed the big tweak Harbhajan imparts in his spin and the kind of bounce he manages on the most dull tracks. Harbhajan has also developed a good drift and has struck form quickly on the tour, with a ten wicket haul in the three-day match against CFX Academy.

The touring Indian cricket team's laundry bills problem has been solved on the eve of the first Test against Zimbabwe.

BCCI President AC Muthiah had a lengthy discussion with the players on Tuesday and the problem has been solved "once and for all," BCCI executive Secretary Sharad Diwadkar told PTI in Mumbai on Wednesday. However, Diwadkar did not specify how the problem was sorted out and only said the players have been asked by Muthiah to concentrate on the Test match starting on Thursday at Bulawayo.

Soon after reaching Zimbabwe, the team had complained of insufficient daily allowance provided to them by the Board. An allowance of $32 (approximately $2000 Zimbabwe) was considered too inadequate by the players specially due the fact that laundry charges are very high in that country