India on crutches after Agarkar’s calf strain

India's threadbare bowling attack suffered a further blow with the in-form Ajit Agarkar ruled a doubtful starter for the triangular one-day ...

India’s threadbare bowling attack suffered a further blow with the in-form Ajit Agarkar ruled a doubtful starter for the triangular one-day series match against Australia here tomorrow.

Agarkar is suffering from a stiff calf muscle, which is the result of the workload he has undertaken in the present series, and his unavailability could upset India’s plans to make amends for their 18-run defeat in the tri-series opener to the hosts.

But Indian captain Saurav Ganguly put up a brave front and promised to “pick up overall intensity” against the world champions in the floodlit encounter at the Gabba.

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Australia put India up on notice with a record 344 for seven against a hapless Zimbabwe yesterday but India have proved they are made of tougher stuff and would look to give a fitting reply to the hosts who are unbeaten in the tournament so far.

The Aussies are perched atop the table with 17 points from three outings while India have seven points from a win and a defeat. Zimbabwe are yet to open their account.

Ganguly also appeared unperturbed by the return of form of big-hitter Adam Gilchrist and did not think that the Aussies hold an edge over them in one-day competition.

“We have to pick our overall intensity which served us so well in the past one year. We have to play up to our standards and fire as best as we could tomorrow,” said the skipper as he inspected the pitch at the Gabba. It has been raining for the past one week and even today there was a fresh spell of showers but Ganguly admitted he was surprised to see the wicket was still dry. It had a spread of fresh grass and should assist seamers, he felt.

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But more than anything it is the injury worry to Agarkar which has been troubling Ganguly the most on the eve of the match. Agarkar’s woes are a result of the workload he has undertaken in the present series, including 154 overs in the Tests and 16-odd in the two tri-series games. (PTI)

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