The Indian selectors have summoned Rohit Sharma as a cover for the middle order batsman VVS Laxman for the first test match against South Africa starting from 6th February as Laxman has not yet fully recovered from the injury.

Laxman had received finger injury during the second test match against Bangladesh in Chittagong while fielding in the slips. Laxman had missed the fielding practice session and the batting session yesterday.

However, team management is hopeful that Laxman will be fit for the test match but they have included Rohit in the squad as they did not want to take any chance. Rohit had led the Board President's XI in the warm-up match against South Africa. Rohit failed to deliver in that match as he had scored just 20 runs.

The test series against South Africa will be real test of India and they will have to win this series to retain their top spot in the ICC test rankings. It will be a major blow for India if Laxman failed to get fit before the match as Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and S Sreesanth had already ruled out from the opening match due to injuries.