Karthik Called up as Cover for Dhoni

Kanpur: Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has been rushed to Kanpur after the Indian team management asked for a last minute back-up for MS Dhoni ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka beginning on Tuesday. Dhoni reportedly hurt his finger during the Ahmedabad Test which ended in a dull draw last Friday.

Karthik, the Tamil Nadu captain, was in Dharamshala for the Ranji Trophy Super League match against Himachal Pradesh when he got the call on Sunday afternoon. He last played a Test for India in March, against New Zealand in Napier, after Dhoni opted out due to back spasms.

Dhoni had arrived at Green Park on Sunday without any taped fingers nor did he seem in any sort of pain. He batted his full quota during training, hit powerful, flat-bat strokes, and enthusiastically bowled seam-up immediately after removing his batting pads.

Team sources indicated Dhoni was most likely going to be declared fit on the eve of the Test and there was a chance Karthik might have to rush back to join his Tamil Nadu team-mates on Monday. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha too could be released for Hyderabad's Ranji Trophy match.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 232 runs 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn

Related links

Sri Lanka tour of India, 2009/10 News

Atkinson Inspects Feroze Shah Kotla Pitch [+]

ICC's chief pitch consultant Andy Atkinson inspected the Feroze Shah Kotla pitch which was banned for one year from hosting international matches after the abandoned India-Sri Lanka game last year.

ICC Receives BCCI Report on Kotla Fiasco [+]

The ICC said it's now upto ICC General Manager Dav Richardson and Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle to take a call on the pitch fiasco issue.

ICC Chief Backs New Delhi Despite Pitch Fiasco [+]

New Delhi is still likely to host matches for the 2011 World Cup despite concerns about the pitch, ICC president David Morgan has said.

ICC Talks Tough After Kotla Shame [+]

Delhi could be staring at tough sanctions following Sunday's abandonment of the fifth ODI, though the process could take almost three to four weeks.

ICC to Decide on Kotla in Two Week - Lorgat [+]

Haroon Lorgat said ICC will take a month's time to decide a sanction on Feroz Shah Kotla as an international venue due to the pitch fiasco in the India-Lanka ODI.

Delhi Won't Host South Africa Test - BCCI [+]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has ruled out Delhi as a host to one of the two South Africa Tests to be held early next year.

Kotla May Face WC Ban After Pitch Fiasco [+]

The cancellation of the fifth ODI between Lanka and India in Delhi has put a big question mark on the four games the Ferozeshah Kotla is scheduled to host for the 2011 World Cup.

Kotla Ground May be Suspension 12-24 Months [+]

Play was suspended in the fifth and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka after the pitch at the Ferozeshah Kotla was deemed dangerous.

Ind-SL Kotla ODI Abandoned Due to Unfit Pitch [+]

The dicey pitch conditions at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium forced the match officials to call off the final India-Sri Lanka ODI. India win the series 3-1.

Dhoni Denied Many Changes in Last One-dayer [+]

Indian captain MS Dhoni denied many changes in the playing eleven for the final ODI.