Zaheer is 'injury-fit'

Zaheer Khan, who has been left out of the Indian squad for three forthcoming one-day tournaments, is "injury-fit" but not 100% fit, according to a report in The Telegraph newspaper, Kolkata. The report quotes a source talking about the opinion of Andrew Leipus, the Indian physio, following the Asia Cup.

The source adds that Leipus, in his report to Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI president, says the following: "Zaheer Khan does require specific ongoing exercises to help maintain the correct muscle balance around his trunk and pelvis. His participation in appropriate strength-training sessions has not been adequate till date."

Leipus, in his report, said that Zaheer could continue playing, but advised rest. "He [Zaheer] is injury-fit at present and could manage to continue playing, but it is better in the larger interest for Zaheer to miss the next tour and concentrate on an intensive training/practice regimen."

An earlier report appearing The Hindu newspaper said that Zaheer had a mild, grade 1 strain of his left rectus fermoris (quadricep muscle). It added that Zaheer felt pain while lunging, a full lumbo-sacralpelvic assessment leading to a discovery of a definite dysfunction.