Zaheer Khan has not played any form of cricket since he was injured during Mumbai's last league game against Gujarat at the D Y Patil Stadium in December. This after being dropped from the Indian team following a poor 2012. At 34, his fitness troubles appear to signal his inevitable decline as an international force and there are plenty of questions about his ability to make a comeback.
However, the bowler himself believes he can continue playing top class cricket for another three or four years. In an interview with the Pune Mirror, he said that he wants to play both Test matches and ODIs and has no plans to give up one format to preserve his body.
Mumbai: Zaheer Khan was today not picked by newly crowned Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai for their five-day Irani Cup match against the Rest of India beginning at the Wankhede Stadium on February 6, as he has not yet recovered from the calf injury he sustained at the start of this month.
Zaheer is not yet fit and it seems he would need at least three weeks to regain fitness, informed Mumbai Cricket Association's secretary Nitin Dalal after the selection committee meeting.
The senior left-arm pacer, who was injured during Mumbai's last league game against Gujarat at the D Y Patil Stadium thus appears in doubt for at least the initial part of the four-Test series against Australia, commencing with the first game at Chennai on February 22.
Indore: Zaheer Khan's incisive spell todayhelped Mumbai pull off a stunning seven-run win over MadhyaPradesh in what turned out to be the most interesting RanjiTrophy group league encounter of this season.
Chasing a victory target of 311 on the final day, MP cametantalisingly close getting all-out for 303 giving thevisitors their first outright win of the season. Mumbai nowhave 20 points but are placed fourth behind MP who are also on20 but are ahead due to more outright wins.
If the highlight of the final day was brilliant 128 by MPopener Jalaj Saxena and Zaheer's brilliant post-lunch spell of13 overs that saw him get five for 79, the last 20 minuteswere easily the most exciting of the match when it could havegone either way.
Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan warms up during a training session at The Sardar Patel Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad on November 12, 2012. India plays the first Test match against England from November 15 in Ahmedabad.
India's Zaheer Khan (R) holds a soccer ball as his teammate Gautam Gambhir watches during a cricket practice session in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad November 12, 2012. The first test cricket match between India and England will be played in Ahmedabad starting on November 15.
India cricketer Ishant Sharma (L) watched by bowling coach Joe Dawes (C) and teammate Zaheer Khan bowls in the nets during a training session on the first day of a three day camp at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai on November 9, 2012. The Indian cricket team has opted for a three day training camp ahead of their upcoming four test series against England.
