The duo was cleared after intense fitness drills at the National Cricket Academy under the watchful eyes of physio Paul Close and trainer Paul Chapman.

“The fitness test was taken by Board physiotherapist Paul Close and according to his report, both Harbhajan and Dhoni have recovered from injuries and pass the required physical fitness test. Both the players are available for the South Africa series,” Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

Harbhajan, who arrived at the NCA a little ahead of Dhoni in the morning, started the test with an indoor session before proceeding to the Chinnaswamy stadium for sprint and shuttle run exercises under a persistent drizzle. “I am very much fit and raring to go,” he said. Harbhajan had suffered a left hamstring injury during the tri-series in Australia.

Dhoni, however, had only an indoor session, engaging in routine wicket-keeping drills. An X-ray of the injured finger on his right hand was also taken. NCA Director of Operations Dav Whatmore and physical and mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach Paddy Upton too were present during the fitness test.

Harbhajan returned to Delhi for some commercial commitments, while Dhoni proceeded to Chennai, where the players are to report for a short camp beginning on Saturday before the first Test. Test skipper Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, coach Gary Kirsten, physio Close and Upton will travel to Chennai on Saturday morning.