India kept batting hero Venkatsai Laxman under wraps ahead of the final Test against Australia which starts on Saturday, as the tourists lost bowler Doug Bollinger to injury. Laxman, who defied back spasms to score a match-winning 73 not out in the first Test in Mohali, sat out of training for the second successive day on Friday.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the middle-order batsman was recovering well, but refused to confirm if Laxman will play the decisive Test at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
"He is feeling much better and we would love it if he plays, but the team will take a final call on his fitness before the toss," Dhoni told reporters after training. "It's a five-day game and that is a long time to be on the field. Everyone is available for selection as of now, except perhaps VVS (Laxman)." India will consider the fact that Australia are unlikely to allow Laxman to bat with a runner, as he did in Mohali during the crucial ninth-wicket stand of 81 with tailender Ishant Sharma.
The hosts have already lost opening batsman Gautam Gambhir and seamer Sharma for the match due to knee injuries sustained during the Mohali Test. Opener Murali Vijay and fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth are almost certain to replace the injured duo, while rookie batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was standing by for Laxman.
Ricky Ponting's tourists face a stern test to draw the series after India pulled off a great escape in Mohali after being reduced to 124-8 while chasing 216 for victory. Left-arm paceman Bollinger, who missed the crucial final stages of the match with an abdominal strain, was ruled out of the second Test and was likely to be replaced by South Australian Peter George.
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