With Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma having performed well in the recent times, there is seemingly nothing to worry about as far as India bowling department is concerned. However, sources say the selectors and the team think-tank want to take Zaheer Khan on the South Africa tour at the year end. It is learnt they have spoken to him and are tracking his fitness, says a report in Hindustan Times.
The left-arm paceman has had a series of injuries in the last two years and will turn 35 in October. He has also not played for India since the Kolkata Test against England in December. But the wily bowler, five short of 300 Test wickets, is working hard on regaining fitness.
"It's an important tour. He is the strike bowler. They feel they need him not just as a bowler but also as mentor," an insider told HT. "On Indian tracks, spinners have been handful and not exposed the pacers. But on this tour, his skill and experience will be needed as the others are relatively inexperienced."
What probably makes him invaluable is the fact that India 'A' are playing on batting strips. If the hosts lay out batting tracks again, India bowlers may struggle against the likes of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Times Of India, fitness is the new buzzword for Ishant Sharma. The 6'4" tall pacer is striving to shoulder the responsibility as India's bowling ace in the much looked-forward-to Test series against South Africa in December. The 24-year-old has gotten over his fitness troubles and right now is basking in the glory of his impactful performances in the Champions Trophy and the Tri-series in the West Indies. The lanky pacer spoke to TOI about his injury, the recovery, the highs and the lows.
Speaking on the focus that will be on him when India visits South Africa for the big Test tour this November, Ishant said, “I'm following the fitness regimen devised by the coaches at the National Cricket Academy and I am working quite hard. I go to the gym in the morning then break for lunch and return to bowling in the afternoons. I also go for swimming and take ice baths after rigorous training sessions,” says Ishant.
