No decisions yet on controversial Punjab bowler

Bhupinder Singh Sr, the national selector from the North Zone, and chairman of the Punjab selection committee, has said that he has received no official notification on Rajesh Sharma, the Punjab offspinner who has been reported for having a suspect bowling action.

"Nobody has informed me of anything like this," Bhupinder told Cricinfo. "I have not received anything official and cannot really comment." As reported by Cricinfo, Sharma's name had been mentioned by umpires and match referees in several dispatches to BCCI officials, expressing concerns over his bowling action.

Interestingly Sharma is currently part of the Punjab squad that is in the middle of a three-day camp ahead of their final Ranji match of the season. Punjab don't have a match in the current round of the tournament, and their next is from January 10, against Hyderabad at Hyderabad.

However, the Punjab Cricket Association will be spared the tricky decision of whether or not to play Sharma as the Indian team will return in time for the final round of Ranji matches, which means that Harbhajan Singh and VRV Singh will be free to play for Punjab. With Harbhajan available, there is little chance that Sharma will find a place in the side.

Sharma, who picked up a career-best 6 for 143 in his last match, will probably have to wait for some more time yet before it becomes clear whether the PCA thinks he needs remedial work on his action or not.

"The only thing we need to check is the schedule of the players returning from South Africa," said Bhupinder. "The board has instructed all members of the Indian team to play in the final round of matches. This means VRV and Harbhajan will be added to our current lot of 15, and we will leave out two players."