India’s fast bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy to be held late September after he underwent a major shoulder surgery in South Africa last month.

It is possible that he may even have to miss the home ODI series against Australia in November-December if the recovery doesn’t go according to plan. A BCCI media release today said that Zaheer was responding well to the surgery and was expected to return to International cricket by the end of this year suggesting he could be a possibility for the ODI series against Australia.

“Zaheer Khan had an arthroscopic labral repair in his left shoulder on 13th July 2009 done by the Johannesburg-based Dr Mark Ferguson,” the release said. “Zaheer is undergoing rehabilitation in South Africa and is recovering very well. He is expected to return to international cricket by the end of this year.”

Zaheer will be returning to India from South Africa on August 9. He will fly back in 10 days time for further rehabilitation on his shoulder, said the release.

He suffered the injury while playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL in South Africa when he fell on his shoulder while trying to make a save on the field. He then aggravated the injury in the Twenty20 World Cup and had to undergo surgery in South Africa in July. He missed the 4-match ODI series against West Indies due to the injury.

The 30-year-old has been advised a minimum of three months’ rest. Ferguson, who carried out the surgery, has successfully treated Sachin Tendulkar and former India players Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble in the past.

Indian selectors will be meeting on August 16 to select the teams for both the tri-series in Sri Lanka starting September 8 and the Champions Trophy starting September 25. Zaheer was named in the original 30-man probables list for the Champions trophy.

The injury gives a chance to the other speedsters who have been waiting in the wings for India. It will be a good opportunity for players like Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar and RP Singh to cement their place in the side. But, Ashish Nehra may turn out to be the dark horse after making a successful return to ODI cricket in the West Indies. He would be waiting desperately to get a chance in place of Zaheer and stake a claim for a permanent place in the team.

Related News Headlines

• No Related Post

Cricketain Latest

• Sachin, Dhoni, Sehwag in race for ICC awards
• No-ball row: Sangakkara takes full responsibility
• BCCI will not pursue no-ball matter with SLC
• BCCI denies compelling fatigued cricketers to play
• Bowlers in desperate need of a break: MS Dhoni
• Yuvraj out with dengue, Nehra uncertain for Sri Lanka ODI
• “Pakistan players should be allowed to play in IPL 4”
• ECB asks Pietersen to stay away from Lalit Modi
• Munaf Patel called up as cover for Ishant
• Final squads for CLT20 announced, Flintoff not in CSK squad