In a big setback for North Zone ahead of the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone, captain Harbhajan Singh has been forced to sit out due to viral fever as Gautam Gambhir will step in as the leader, here on Wednesday.
Out-of-favour Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan, is heartbroken to sit out due to health issues. “I am disappointed at not being able to participate in the all-important match. I have not been keeping well for the last three days, but hopefully will be fit for the final if we win,” Harbhajan said.
All eyes will now be on Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, as the duo will look to impress the selectors ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
Gambhir is keen to make a comeback after a not-so-good showing in the Test series in England this year. Sehwag, 36, will also be hoping to make each performance count.
Apart from the Delhi duo, Yuvraj Singh will also be looking to make impression in the all-important game.
East take on South in other match
lahli: After registering an impressive come-from-behind win in their quarter-final against West Zone, a supremely confident East Zone side will take on a last edition’s joint champions South Zone in semi-final from Wednesday.
It will be East that will start as favourites against South after their crushing 102-run win over West, having conceded a 44-run first innings lead. Also with the match played at the seamer-friendly Bansi lal Stadium track here, East will hold an advantage having played a match here and winning it outright on the fourth day. Skipper Manoj Tiwary has started the first-class season on a bright note with a gutsy century while the other Tiwary — burly Jharkhand lad Saurabh also set up an exciting final day with a second innings ton.
Not to forget young Bengal southpaw Sudeep Chatterjee’s attractive 99 and the spells from speedster Ashok Dinda and swing bowler Basant Mohanty.