KOLKATA - Experienced middle-order batsman Vangipurappu Laxman has been declared fit to play in the second and final Test against South Africa starting on Sunday, India's chief selector Kris Srikkanth said.

KOLKATA - Experienced middle-order batsman Vangipurappu Laxman has been declared fit to play in the second and final Test against South Africa starting on Sunday, India's chief selector Kris Srikkanth said.

Laxman missed the opening Test with a finger injury as top-ranked India lost by an innings and six runs in Nagpur, their first defeat on home soil in almost two years.

Laxman's return should bolster India's inexperienced middle order, which has lacked injured duo Rahul Dravid (jaw) and Yuvraj Singh (wrist).

Dale Steyn took a match haul of 10-108 to stun India in the first Test but Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl expects the pitch at Kolkata's Eden Gardens to assist spin.

"I won't say it will be a minefield, but I do expect something that will help the Indian team," he said on Wednesday. India must win the second Test to prevent SA from claiming the No 1 position in the world rankings. - Reuters