Selectors to Zaheer Khan: Play more matches to prove fitness

[rkt.india]

is four wickets against Haryana notwithstanding, Zaheer Khan is most likely to be left out when selectors meet on Tuesday to pick a 14-man squad for the two-Test series against West Indies starting on November 6. The 35-year-old left-arm pacer is likely to be overlooked in favour of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a fit-again Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma, HT has learnt. Zaheer, who last played the Kolkata Test against England last December, was dropped for the four home Tests against Australia earlier this year. Though Zaheer finished with figures of 4/59 on Monday, day two of the Mumbai-Haryana Ranji Trophy tie, he was unable to exploit the seamer-friendly conditions the way Joginder Sharma (5/16) did earlier in the day. Getting there The track here affords considerable bounce and there is a hint of swing but Zaheer didn’t hit the right length until the later half of the day. Even in the first innings, though Mumbai shot out Haryana for 134, the damage was done by Javed Khan (2/12) and Abhishek Nayar (4/38). Zaheer took only one wicket. That none of the national selectors turned up to watch the Mumbai-Haryana Ranji Trophy tie was a strong indicator. Though Zaheer has got the wickets to show in recent times, including a match-winning haul of 4/59 against West Indies ‘A’ at Shimoga, he hasn’t done enough to win his place back, according to a national selector. “As of now, we don’t expect to pick Zaheer,” he said. Vital overseas “Zaheer will surely be a strong contender to go to South Africa and New Zealand, but we feel it’s important to stick with the winning combination from the four Tests against Australia. Also, the coach and team management want him to prove his fitness by playing more matches,” said a selector. “With Umesh getting fit again and Shami showing what he’s capable of against Australia (in the Ranchi ODI), we want to stick with youngsters. Though Zaheer remains in the fray, we expect to play three spinners against West Indies, so it’ll be tough for Zaheer to find a place just yet,” he added. While there will be a toss-up between Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra for the third spinner’s spot, Ajinkya Rahane will retain his place despite a forgettable Test debut this year. If the selectors choose a 15th player, expect that spot to go to Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/Cricket/Selectors-to-Zaheer-Khan-Play-more-matches-to-prove-fitness/Article1-1144681.aspx

[King Tendulkar]

Fair enough But if he keeps on playing and being fit, then must be on plane to SA Frankly the best way to make sure he is in best shape for SA is to keep him out of team till SA, it will help motivate him and resist having a kebab at those vulnerable moments

[skindia]

He will replace some young injured bowler in SA tour..

[India-KXIP fan]

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a fit-again Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma, HT has learnt.

Ishant still there, though he needs to sort things out first but who cares. He's still in team :yay:

[skindia]

To win in SA Sreesanth is needed for SA tour...

[skindia]

Who is third spinner? :woot::woot:

piyush:dance:

[India-KXIP fan]

piyush:dance:

Nah I thought they meant 3 specialists (Bhaji return) :(( Think they meant Jaddu :whine:

[Old guy]

so yadav was injured ? :nervous:

[skindia]

I think they should play all 5 spinners in playing 11.....chawla bhajji ashwin jaddu and ojha so we will come to know who is best

[skindia]

Varun aron should be given a chance

[CSK Fan]

Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma is super fit

[rkt.india]

Ishant should be dropped.

[India-KXIP fan]

I think they should play all 5 spinners in playing 11.....chawla bhajji ashwin jaddu and ojha so we will come to know who is best

U forgot Bhuvneshwar :phehehe:

[Zanjeer]

I'm surprised porbandhar express is not considered...:--D

[rkt.india]

so yadav was injured ? :nervous:

No. He was not. He played Challenger, Duleep and Ranji trophy in the time out Indian team. They meant he got injured last year against England and is fit now.

[King Tendulkar]

I'm surprised porbandhar express is not considered...:--D

:hysterical:

[Old guy]

No. He was not. He played Challenger' date=' Duleep and Ranji trophy in the time out Indian team. They meant he got injured last year against England and is fit now.[/quote'] that is why i was surprised he is even playing match right now :hysterical:

[Old guy]

my pick would be bhuvi and yadav with shami as back up

[King Tendulkar]

my pick would be bhuvi and yadav with shami as back up

yep but selectors love their Ishant

[Ghost Buster]

Rohit in place of rahane would have been better. Ishant needs to stay out of the game for a while to work on his technique.