Injured Zaheer to make his way back home

Fast-bowler replaced by RP Singh for the remainder of England tour.

LONDON:

India’s problems were compounded as fast-bowler Zaheer Khan was ruled out of the remainder of his side’s tour of England after being told he requires ankle surgery.

Zaheer, who is also suffering from a hamstring strain, is expected to be out of action till November.

A statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the left-armer was suffering from a recurrent right hamstring strain and a right ankle impingement.

The 32-year-old, a crucial part of the Test team which is 2-0 down in the four-match series against England, picked up the injury in the first game at Lord’s and missed the second at Trent Bridge.

India have called up left-armer RP Singh, who last played a Test in April 2008, for the remainder of the tour.

Dravid to call it quits

Meanwhile, veteran India batsman Rahul Dravid announced that he will quit One-Day International (ODI) cricket after the end of the series against England.

The 38-year-old had been called into the ODI squad after a two-year absence.

“I’m honoured and privileged to be selected in the Indian ODI team,” said Dravid, who has scored 10,765 runs in 339 ODIs and made 12 centuries.

“Since I had not been picked for ODIs, I was obviously a little surprised and had not informed the selectors or the board of my desire to solely focus on Tests.

“At the end of this ODI series, I would like to announce my retirement from limited-overs cricket.”

Dravid played his last ODI in September 2009, but got the selectors’ nod following impressive performances in the ongoing Tests. India play a Twenty20 against England at Old Trafford on August 31 before the five-match ODI series starts at Chester-le-Street on September 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2011.