Decision to let Zaheer loose in a few ODis against NZ to get into the groove has backfired
Decision to let Zaheer loose in a few ODis against NZ to get into the groove has backfired
Injured fast bowler Zaheer Khan was originally scheduled to join his teammates on an early flight to South
Africa.
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| It is learnt that India coach Gary Kirsten insisted on Zaheer Khan playing a couple of one-dayers against the touring New Zealanders so that the left-arm quick bowler would gain in terms of rhythm. Even stand-in captain Gautam Gambhir shared this view as India went about whitewashing the hapless New Zealanders 5-0.
But the hamstring injury to Zaheer may have them regretting the move now. |
However, the team management, particularly coach Gary Kirsten, requested for the left-armer to play a few ODIs against New Zealand in order to get into rhythm for the all-important Safari trip.
Zaheer trained at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for long hours only to break down once again in the fourth one-dayer against New Zealand in Bangalore due to his recurring hamstring injury.
Upon arriving here, he didn't bowl on Monday, and bowled very little on Tuesday.
With Zaheer almost ruled out for the first Test, team sources told MiD DAY that the management was ruing the decision to ask him to play the ODIs against the Kiwis. That he should have flown into South Africa a week ago, like most of the others, is doing the rounds.
Too late for regrets, yes?
Where is the intensity?IT was more than amusing when a lady cab driver driving us from Johannesburg airport to the hotel in Centurion, closer to the venue of today's first Test, asked: "So, who do you think will win the first Test?"
Suddenly, a feeling sunk in. It felt like the entire rainbow nation is eagerly awaiting this breathtaking battle between the world's top two Test sides.
This sensation was established once again yesterday in a never-ending radio profile of India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
However, all this changed very quickly on our arrival at the SuperSport Park. The wet conditions forced the home side to practice indoors. It made matters worse when it was announced that the Indians decided not to practice at all.
Hence, journalists rushed to the Sandton Sun hotel in Johannesburg (a 45-minute drive from Centurion) where the Indian captain was to address the Press.
When Dhoni was asked if India were equipped for the game without a practice-less day, he replied: "We are okay. It was just about routine drills. We are prepared for the game."u00a0u00a0
Another tour for busy Shastri RAVI Shastri is a busy man. Travelling in and out of India for television commentary assignments, attending the IPL Governing Council meetings, and spending time with his family are just some of the things on his busy
schedule.
He is the only Indian on the commentary panel for India's tour of South Africa. Stepping out of an aircraft from Dubai to Johannesburg, Shastri sighed: "Aaah, back to South Africa.
"I might go back home during the break (between Tests and ODIs). I want to go back because of my son's education. It's not too long a tour considering they are playing a lot of games in five weeks."
