A side strain apparently picked up during India's defeat in the third one-day international against Pakistan at Jamshedpur ruled out off-spinner Harbhajan Singh [Images] of the fourth match held in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

"He had a side strain and went to the doctor today," said Amrit Mathur, a member of the Indian Cricket Board's media co-ordination committee, who is also acting as the liaison man for the team.

Strangely, the information was not given to the media yesterday when the team came for practice and skipper Sourav Ganguly [Images] addressed a press conference.

The injury to Harbhajan gave the chance to Murali Kartik [Images] to make another of his infrequent appearances in the team.

Left-arm slow bowler Kartik played in only his 18th ODI after making his debut against Zimbabwe three years ago.

It was only his fifth match for India in more than a year and his first after being included in the playing eleven against Bangladesh at Dhaka in December last.

He also celebrated his return to the team with a wicket off his third ball, dismissing in-form Pakistan opener Salman Butt [Images] leg before for 48.