Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan says he is ready to take on the mantle of India's main strike bowler from Javagal Srinath, who is expected to make a decision on his international future within the next two weeks.
Srinath, 33, opted out of a training camp for 36 Test probables due to a knee injury and is likely to miss the Test series against New Zealand.
"It'll be a great honour to represent the country as the leading strike bowler," Khan told reporters on Monday.
"I'm ready if Srinath is unable to play, but with responsibilities, the pressure and expectations are going to be high."
Khan, 24, who made his debut against Bangladesh in 2000, improved tremendously last season and formed a surprisingly effective pace trio with Srinath and Ashish Nehra.
Srinath had announced his retirement from Test cricket after India's tour of West Indies last year, but was persuaded to return for a series in New Zealand last December and the World Cup earlier this year in South Africa.
He proved invaluable to the Indian attack in New Zealand, where he grabbed 18 wickets at 11.16 despite a 5-2 one-day defeat, and helped India reach the final of the World Cup.
With 236 scalps, he is the second-highest Test wicket-taker among Indian seamers behind Kapil Dev's 434.
India and New Zealand play two Tests starting in early October, at Ahmedabad and Mohali, followed by a triangular one-day series also featuring world champions Australia.
