Harbhajan Singh ruled out of Duleep Trophy semis; Gautam Gambhir to lead North Zone

In a setback for North Zone ahead of their Duleep Trophy match against Central Zone, captain Harbhajan Singh has been forced to sit out due to viral fever. Gautam Gambhir will step in to lead the team in Harbhajan's absence in the semi-final clash at the PCA stadium in Mohali.

Out-of-favour India off-spinner, Harbhajan, expressed his disappointment at missing the match, which was a good opportunity for him to impress the selectors. "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, I will be fit for the final if we win," Harbhajan said.

Harbhajan, who last played a Test for India in March 2013 against Australia, led a successful campaign last year when North shared the trophy with South Zone after rain played spoilsport in the final in Kochi.

All eyes will now be on Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, as the duo will look to impress the selectors ahead of the Australia tour later this year and the all-important 50-overs World Cup in February.

Gambhir, who was recently appointed captain of the Delhi team for the upcoming Vijay Hazare one-day tournament, will be keen to make a comeback after a not-so-good showing in the Test series in England this year. Sehwag, 36, who also made his last India appearance in March 2013 along with Harbhajan against Australia, will 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. The team also boasts of two Jammu and Kashmir players in medium-pacer Samiullah Beigh and off-spinner Parvez Rasool, who has represented the national side in one ODI against Bangladesh in June this year.

The Central Zone team will be no pushovers with young Piyush Chawla leading the pack. The 25-year-old leg-spinner is also looking to make his return to the big stage after last representing India in 2012. along with Piyush, upcoming chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav and leg-spinner, Karn Sharma form the spin attack. The Central bowling department also comprises of quick bowlers Ishwar Pandey, Pankaj Singh and Anureet Singh.

Faiz Fazal, Naman Ojha, Arindam Ghosh, Robin Bist and Ashok Menaria will form the crux of the batting department.