GEORGETOWN (Guyana), April 8: India beat the Guyana President’s XI by nine wickets on the third and final day of their Caribbean tour opener Sunday after scoring the 39 runs required for the loss of Deep Dasgupta, who made 19.
The President’s XI had earlier extended their overnight 52-5 to 168 to erase the first innings deficit of 130 and make India bat again. Vishan Nagamootoo scored 78 before being last out.
India’s right-arm leg spinner Anil Kumble finished with 5-50 from 21 overs and had match figures of 7-55.
There was a scare for the Indians, though, as Harbhajan Singh had to leave the field after bowling only 11.2 overs.
It was later confirmed that Harbhajan was doubtful for the first Test against West Indies starting Thursday at Bourda (Guyana) because of a shoulder injury.
Harbhajan was hurt while attempting a throw from the boundary on the final day of tour game Sunday.
Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement Monday from Kolkata that Harbhajan had flown to Trinidad for a scan.
“Harbhajan Singh experienced an uncomfortable sensation in the right shoulder,” the statement said.
“This occurred during a single hard throw from the boundary. While he was able to bowl three overs following this incident, he felt it was best to come off the field for treatment.”
Fellow off-spinner Sharandeep Singh has been told to be ready to fly out to the Caribbean at short notice if Harbhajan is ruled out for the opening game.
Dalmiya, however, said Harbhajan was confident of recovering for the first Test.
GUYANA PRESIDENT’S XI (1st Innings) 118.
INIDA (1st Innings) 248 (S.C. Ganguly 52).
GUYANA PRESIDENT’S XI (2nd Innings, overnight 52-5):
A. Gonzalves lbw Srinath 18
K. Arjune c and b Harbhajan 13
N. Deonarine b Srinath 0
T. Dowling b Kumble 15
K. Basil b Kumble 0
H. Pooran c Srinath b Kumble 13
D. Dasrat c Laxman b Kumble 22
V. Nagamootoo C Srinath b Zaheer 78
R. Griffith c Shrinath b Kumble 3
H. Harrinarine b Zaheer 2
R. Thomas not out 0
EXTRAS (LB-3, NB-1) 4
TOTAL (all out, 54.2 overs) 168
FALL OF WKTS: 1-25, 2-25, 3-44, 4-48, 5-52, 6-65, 7-102, 8-132, 9-157.
BOWLING: Srinath 8-2-19-2; Zaheer Khan 7.2-0-37-2 (1nb); Kumble 21-5-50-5; Bangar 3-1-7-0; Harbhajan Singh 11.2-1-33-1; Tendulkar 3.4-1-19-0.
INDIA (2nd Innings):
S.S. Das not out 18
D. Dasgupta lbw Dasrat 19
V.V.S. Laxman not out 0
EXTRAS (NB-2) 2
TOTAL (for one wkt, 17.1 overs) 39
FALL OF WKT: 1-38.
BOWLING: Griffith 7-2-15-0; Thomas, 5-2-15-0; Dasrat 3-1-6-1; Deonarine 2.1-3-0.
RESULT: India won by nine wickets.—Reuters