Zaheer volunteers to skip scan and stay on
K Venkataramanan in Colombo
Speedster Zaheer Khan has volunteered to stay back for the rest on the ongoing triangular one-day series in Colombo, the Indian team management said on Sunday.
Zaheer, who is suffering from a stress fracture on the right shin, was due to fly to Madras on August three for a bone scan.
But the team management agreed to Zaheer's request to defer his return in view of the crucial nature of the remaining two matches that India have to win if they are to make it to the final on August 5.
Zaheer was instrumental in India's seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Saturday, claiming two wickets for 30 runs.
There was no change in the programme of medium pacer Ashish Nehra and batsman V V S Laxman who would return to India after the one-day series to have a check-up of their respective injuries.
Nehra is nursing a groin injury while Laxman is suffering pain in his knees for which he will have to undergo a surgery.
Laxman's surgery will take at least four weeks to heal and he could be out of the three Test-series against the Lankans from August 14.
Nehra, who was probably carrying the injury before Lankan tour, may be out of action for two months and could return home after the triangular series.
The three teams - India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand - play each other once in the last three league matches. Sri Lanka have three wins, New Zealand two and India one at the end of the first six matches.
Mail Cricket Editor
