Left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan was ruled out of the remaining tour of England and is expected to be out for at least 14 - 16 weeks.
In a last-ditch effort, he tried to test himself in the two-day game against Northamptonshire, but he pulled up short. His participation in the match on Saturday was restricted to bowling just three overs. He bowled at half pace, just running in and looking to release the ball without bending his back. He was clearly wary of putting extra pressure on his injured leg.
It was easy fodder for the home team's opening batsmen and they duly tore into him.
After being taken for three fours in his third over, Zaheer left the field, looking downcast. His figures read 3-0-24-0.
Zaheer had sustained a hamstring injury during the 2nd day of the 1st Test of Lord's and since then India's premier strike bolwer has been out of action.
"Zaheer Khan is suffering from a recurrent right hamstring strain and a right ankle impingement. He will require a surgery for his ankle, followed by intensive rehabilitation for both the ankle and hamstring. He will need at least 14-16 weeks to recover completely. He will therefore not be able to participate in the ongoing Test series and subsequent T20 International and ODI series against England," the BCCI said in a statement.
His loss has been RP Singh's gain as the pacer from Uttar Pradesh makes a comeback nearly after 3 years. He last played a Test match in April 2008 and an ODI in September 2009.
"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked RP Singh as his replacement in the Indian squads for the Test series, and the T20 International and ODI series. RP Singh will join the team at the earliest," it added.
RP Singh was a successful campaigner last time India had toured England in 2007.
In a last-ditch effort, he tried to test himself in the two-day game against Northamptonshire, but he pulled up short. His participation in the match on Saturday was restricted to bowling just three overs. He bowled at half pace, just running in and looking to release the ball without bending his back. He was clearly wary of putting extra pressure on his injured leg.
It was easy fodder for the home team's opening batsmen and they duly tore into him.
After being taken for three fours in his third over, Zaheer left the field, looking downcast. His figures read 3-0-24-0.
Zaheer had sustained a hamstring injury during the 2nd day of the 1st Test of Lord's and since then India's premier strike bolwer has been out of action.
"Zaheer Khan is suffering from a recurrent right hamstring strain and a right ankle impingement. He will require a surgery for his ankle, followed by intensive rehabilitation for both the ankle and hamstring. He will need at least 14-16 weeks to recover completely. He will therefore not be able to participate in the ongoing Test series and subsequent T20 International and ODI series against England," the BCCI said in a statement.
His loss has been RP Singh's gain as the pacer from Uttar Pradesh makes a comeback nearly after 3 years. He last played a Test match in April 2008 and an ODI in September 2009.
"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked RP Singh as his replacement in the Indian squads for the Test series, and the T20 International and ODI series. RP Singh will join the team at the earliest," it added.
RP Singh was a successful campaigner last time India had toured England in 2007.
