India pace bowler Zaheer Khan ruled out of second Test

India's confirm that key bowler Zaheer Khan will miss the Trent Bridge Test due to a hamstring injury.

Zaheer Khan could not recover from his hamstring injury in time for India's second Test against England at Trent Bridge.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND // Zaheer Khan, the India fast bowler, has been ruled out of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge with a hamstring injury, MS Dhoni, the captain, said yesterday.

The left-arm paceman broke down in the first Test at Lord’s, which India lost by 196 runs, after taking two wickets for 18 runs in 13.3 first innings overs and did not bowl again in the match.

The 32-year-old Mumbai quick was instrumental in India’s seven-wicket win in the corresponding Trent Bridge Test against England four years ago, taking nine wickets for 134 runs in the match.

Now his place is set to go to either Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, the Kerala fast bowler, or Munaf Patel, the Baroda seamer.

“It’s a bit disappointing not to have him for selection in the first XI,” Dhoni said yesterday before adding: “It is something that is beyond our control and it gives a chance to the other bowlers to prove their mettle when it comes to international cricket.”

“It’s always good to have him in the side because he is our most experienced bowler, especially when it comes to England, he has played a lot of cricket over here for counties and the last time India were here [in 2007] he bowled really well.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Strauss, the England captain, was optimistic Chris Tremlett would be fit to play despite the fast bowler’s “tight” hamstring.

The Surrey quick, who suffered the injury in the first Test, trained briefly at Trent Bridge yesterday. He also received massage treatment on the outfield.

England have Tim Bresnan, the Ashes-winning Yorkshire seamer, waiting in the wings. Strauss, however, said of Tremlett: “I think he’s fine.”