Laxman recovering but skips training

Mohali:

VVS Laxman, the hero of India's gripping first Test win in Mohali, has reached Bangalore after a brief halt in his hometown of Hyderabad, but didn't train with the team two days before the Bangalore Test. The rest of the team had a long nets session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Laxman had to fight back spasms in that match-winning 73, and is still recovering from the injury. He came in to bat at No. 10 in the first innings, and didn't play any further part in the game until the end of day four. During the course of the game, he had to take three painkiller injections and tablets during every break on the final day.

Laxman has been advised rest for his injured back, but a team source said he is feeling much better now. There is no word yet on whether he will play the second Test. In case he is ruled out, Saurashtra batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is likely to make his Test debut.

India are, not for the first time this season, struggling with injuries in this series. Ishant Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have already been ruled out of the second Test. Both of them were unavailable at various points of time in Mohali. Australia are battling injury worries of their own: Doug Bollinger pulled out with an abdominal strain on the last afternoon in Mohali, and is yet to resume training.