Munaf to replace injured RP Singh in tri-series

Munaf Patel will replace the injured seamer Rudra Pratap Singh in the squad for the upcoming one-day tri-series in Australia, a statement from the Indian board has said. Manoj Tiwary, the Bengal middle-order batsman, has been selected as backup for the injured Yuvraj Singh.

RP, who suffered a hamstring injury while bowling in the first innings of the final Test at Adelaide, has been ruled out of action for three weeks.

Munaf last played for India in the second Test against Pakistan in December 2007 before a back spasm ruled him out of the third Test in Bangalore. The National Cricket Academy (NCA), based in Bangalore, pronounced him fit earlier this month and currently, he is playing for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy where he picked up three wickets in 29 overs in the first innings in a drawn game against Central Zone.

Yuvraj, who is nursing a knee injury, will be treated by an orthopaedic surgeon in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Tiwary, who missed making his ODI debut against Bangladesh in May 2007 due to a shoulder injury, has been in decent form in the domestic circuit, scoring 456 runs at 45.60 in the Ranji Trophy. Tiwary, who got the news from CAB joint secretary Samar Pal, said he had already sent his photos and passport to Delhi for the visa requirements of the Australian High Commission.

"I knew all along that opportunities will again come sooner or later, and I have to grab them. I am not feeling at all nervous," Tiwary told PTI. "I'm a strong person mentally. I am very much prepared for the international outing. I'm just waiting for the green signal from the authorities to board the flight. If I get an opportunity to play in Australia, I am prepared to give more than 100 per cent."

Earlier this month, Tiwary attended a five-day fitness test-cum camp at the NCA where Dav Whatmore had asked him to go for a side-on stance. "I have been practising with wet tennis balls and synthetic balls. I am toning up my bowling also, so that I can be of use to the team if the captain hands me the leather."

The CB series, beginning on February 3, involves Australia, India and Sri Lanka.