Srikkanth expects Harbhajan to be fit for Nagpur

Kris Srikkanth, the Indian board's chairman of selectors, has said he expected Harbhajan Singh to be fit for the final Test against Australia starting Thursday in Nagpur. Harbhajan missed the third Test in Delhi because of a toe injury.

"I have spoken to him and he is raring to go in the last match of the Test series," Srikkanth told the Times of India. He also said there will be no replacement for in the squad for Anil Kumble, who announced his retirement from Tests in Kotla on Sunday.

"Amit Mishra had a dream debut in the second Test match against Australia in Mohali and in my opinion he did a good job at the Feroz Shah Kotla. The wicket was flat and had little for the bowlers and still Mishra did a decent job. You can't really get into Kumble's shoes immediately, but these youngsters certainly have talent. In fact, Kumble had a good chat with Mishra the other day and he is also convinced that the young leggie can do the job for the country."

Fielding lapses prevented India from pushing for a result in Delhi and Srikkanth said the team management was addressing the issue. India let the advantage they gained by scoring 613 in the first innings slip when they dropped Mathew Hayden on 70 - Kumble injured his finger trying to take the catch - and Michael Clarke thrice on his way to a century.

"Fielding is an area which always calls for improvement," Srikkanth said. "At Kotla, the Indian fielding wasn't up to the mark … and I am confident that the cricketers will sort this out in the next Test match in Nagpur."