New Delhi, August 07: India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been forced out of next month’s Champions Trophy in South Africa after undergoing shoulder surgery, local media said on Friday.
Zaheer, 30, underwent surgery in Johannesburg in July after injuring his left shoulder while playing for Mumbai Indians during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament in April-May.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to make a statement later on Friday on Zaheer’s availability for the Champions Trophy and other international engagements.
India are due to tour Sri Lanka next month for a limited overs tri-series also featuring New Zealand before moving to South Africa for the Champions Trophy from September 22-October 5.
India will host Australia for seven one-day internationals in October-November and Sri Lanka for a Test and one-day tour in November-December.
Zaheer took part in the World Twenty20 in England in June despite the injury, but missed the subsequent one-day series in the West Indies in early July.
Team-mate Virender Sehwag and the English duo of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff are the other notable players who suffered or aggravated existing injuries during the IPL.
–Agencies