The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Dhoni, Harbhajan declared fit

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Dhoni, Harbhajan declared fit

Principal Correspondent

— PHOTO: K. Bhagya Prakash

READY FOR ACTION: Harbhajan Singh proved his fitness for the series against South Africa in Bangalore on Friday.

Bangalore: M.S. Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh were declared fit after undergoing tests at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here on Friday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in an earlier directive, had made it mandatory for the duo to prove their fitness at the NCA in order to retain their spots in the Indian Test squad for the series against South Africa.

Dhoni and Harbhajan reported to the academy on Friday morning and underwent a series of tests.

Later in the afternoon, the BCCI, through a press release, declared that the two players are fit for the forthcoming series commencing with the first Test in Chennai from March 26.

“Both the players have recovered from injuries and have passed the required physical fitness test and both are available for the South Africa series,” mentioned the BCCI press release.

Dhoni, who is nursing a right hand finger injury, was largely closeted inside the NCA where he did his tests monitored by the physio Paul Close and conditioning coach Paul Chapman.

Dhoni did wicket-keeping drills and a few other tests before leaving the academy, while Harbhajan, who suffered a left hamstring strain during the recent Australian tour, was tested inside the academy and also had to do shuttle runs in the Chinnaswamy Stadium with Chapman keeping a close watch.

After the sprints, Harbhajan flashed the thumbs-up sign to the waiting media and when asked about his fitness, said: “Yes I am fit.” The off-spinner then spent some time inside the academy and left for Delhi after lunch.

Both Dhoni and Harbhajan, are expected to join the rest of their teammates led by Anil Kumble in Chennai on Saturday.

Coach Gary Kirsten and mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton were also present inside the NCA when the fitness tests were conducted.

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