NEW DELHI, Oct 27: India’s ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was in doubt for the third Test against Australia starting here on Wednesday, according to coach Gary Kirsten.

Harbhajan, 28, suffered a toe injury during the second Test in Mohali which India won by 320 runs to go 1-0 up in the four-match Border-Gavaskar series. The first Test in Bangalore ended in a draw.

“We are not sure about Harbhajan,” Kirsten told reporters on Monday. “He picked the injury towards the end of the last game. It is probably because of overuse. We will have to wait and see how he goes. We will assess his condition again tomorrow. There are still 48 hours for the match.”

The wily spinner, with eight wickets in the first two Tests, has troubled the Australian batsmen with his nagging line and length.

Kirsten also said that promising leg-spinner Amit Mishra would sit out of the Delhi Test if captain Anil Kumble recovered from a shoulder injury.

Mishra played the previous match as a last-minute replacement for Kumble.

“If Kumble is fit, he will take Mishra’s place. Kumble is looking good at the moment,” added Kirsten.

Australia were also sweating over the fitness of Stuart Clark, who missed the last Test due to a sore elbow. “We spoke to the physio about Stuey. He is looking good for the game, but we will wait before making any final decision on him,” Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke said.—AFP