File photo of Zaheer Khan.
© AP
Zaheer Khan was not shocked to not see his name in the 30 probables for the 2015 World Cup which were announced on Thursday. (Mentor says Zaheer's career is not finished yet )
The left-arm pacer was one of the Big Five (Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Yuraj Singh) that the selectors ignored for the World Cup. Zaheer hasn't played any matches ever since he injured his shoulder in the last Indian Premier League in May. (Fans debate decision to axe seniors )
"I was not really shocked. The biggest shocker for me was that I was targeting Champions League T20 (in October). That did not happen. My next target was to play some club matches or Ranji Trophy, but I am still not there which is a concern. So, World Cup was too short a time (to recover) to play at the highest level. My main aim is to be fully fit and start playing," Zaheer told mid-day yesterday. (Also read: Suspended Ajmal named in Pakistan's provisional World Cup squad )
Although Zaheer has started bowling, he has not set a specific deadline for his return. "An area I am working on is managing the workload. It (returning to cricket) depends on a lot of factors. In a four-day game, one has to bowl around 35 to 40 overs.
"This injury is very rare to happen to a cricketer. That is why I am being patient. I want to make sure I am 110 per cent fit, otherwise there is no point getting on to the field. Till the time I am not convinced of doing justice to what I have to offer as a bowler, I am going to take my time. Once I tick all the boxes, I will then start working on my goals. At the moment my aim is to get match fit," said Zaheer.
However, unlike in the past when Zaheer had to travel abroad to recover from his injuries, this time the senior India pacer is very much in Mumbai to work out his rehabilitation. He is working with former India physio Andrew Leipus and trainer Adrian Le Roux at his own fitness centre Pro Sport Fitness.
"That was the whole idea of setting up Pro Sport Fitness. I have always felt that there is a lot of gap between India and foreign countries as far as injury management is concerned.
"The nature of injury is such that I am just following the routine. Earlier, I used to go abroad, but now everything is managed here itself," said Zaheer.
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