Gearing up for Kotla Battle

ADVANTAGE INDIA The hosts, with Ishant (in pic) and Zaheer at one end and Gambhir and Sehwag at at the other, are ahead in the battle

TO BE OR NOT TO BE Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh have a close look at the Kotla pitch on Monday

The big Test at Ferozeshah Kotla is almost upon us and the indicative contours of what is going to be a fascinating cricket match are firming up, after India and Australia had full-fledged practice for the second consecutive day on Monday. The third Test starts on Wednesday with India leading the four-Test series 1-0. The hosts, who have a great chance of clinching the series here — remember, they have won the last seven Tests played at Kotla — were jolted by the news that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was doubtful for the Test. The feisty Sardar, always a thorn in Aussie flesh, suffered a toe injury late in the Mohali Test and the niggle has persisted. Coach Gary Kirsten, who had no idea about the extent of the injury, could only hope that it was not too serious. Harbhajan is a critical cog in the Indian wheel and could be more than a handful on the Kotla pitch which is expected to be spin-friendly, especially in the latter part of the Test. Besides, the Australians don’t particularly like the look of him as he reserves his best for them. Harbhajan did bowl and bat at the nets on Monday but only just. As per Kirsten, it’s wait and watch for now. Meanwhile, skipper Anil Kumble, whose fitness and place in the team has generated copious debate in recent days, much of it being patently unfair to the great man, looked at ease while turning his arm over at the training session. It seems that the hurt shoulder is settling down. Kirsten said the captain was looking good and things were progressing well on that front. But it could not be confirmed if Kumble was sure to play at his favourite hunting ground. What Kirsten did disclose was that India won’t play three spinners, and that Kumble would almost definitely play if he was fit. This means Amit Mishra, who helped India rout Australia at Mohali with his seven-wicket haul, will have to sit out. That is, unless Harbhajan is ruled out, a scenario which looks unlikely for now.