5 Feb 2010, 1016 hrs IST

Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma was called in as cover for VVS Laxman for India's first Test against South Africa as the stylish Hyderabadi batsman is yet to recover fully from the finger injury he suffered in Bangladesh.

Laxman had suffered the injury while fielding during the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong last month. Even though the right-hander is expected to play the first Test against South Africa starting on Saturday, the team management took no chance and pencilled in Rohit as cover.

Laxman had skipped the team's fielding practice session yesterday and also did not bat at the nets.

Rohit captained the Board President's XI in a two-day tour game against South Africa here, which ended in a draw. The Mumbaikar, however, could not shine in the match, managing just 20 runs.

This is the first time Rohit is part of the Test squad since the 2008 visit to Sri Lanka, but there he could not get a chance to play.

Indian team is currently struggling with the injuries to its key batsmen which include Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and fast bowler Sreesanth, who have already been ruled out of the series opener.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, though, looked to have recovered fully from the back spasms which forced him to miss the Chittagong Test.

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