By IANS
Bangalore : India’s left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan, who is recuperating from an ankle injury, has ruled himself out of the upcoming Test series against South Africa starting March 26.
The Baroda speedster said he is not 100 percent match-fit and would take some more time to return to international cricket.
“I am not yet ready for international cricket. I have started bowling but I have been asked by doctors not to push it,” Zaheer said at the launch of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team of the Indian Premier League here Wednesday night.
The 29-year-old pacer, who pulled out of the series against Australia after the first Test at Melbourne due to an ankle injury, said he would need at least four weeks more to be in a position to bowl in international matches.
Zaheer, who underwent rehabilitation at a Johannesburg sports medicine centre, gave indications that he might not feature in any of the three Tests against South Africa.
“One of the reason I am not ready for Tests matches is because I have to bowl 30-35 overs across five days and doctors have advised me to start with one-dayers and club games,” he added.
India’s bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad also aired the same feeling and said Zaheer, who is a member of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team, needs more time to come back to full fitness.
The home series against South Africa starts with the first Test at Chennai.