KOLKATA, Aug 5: Fast bowler Zaheer Khan has been left out of India's squad for next month's ICC Champions Trophy in England due to a nagging hamstring injury.
Seamer Ajit Agarkar has been recalled in his place, while wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel was replaced by Dinesh Karthik, another 19-year-old.
Agarkar and Karthik were the only two changes to the squad that lost the Asia Cup final to Sri Lanka on Sunday. All-rounder Rohan Gavaskar, son of legendary Sunil Gavaskar, was added to an extended squad for two build-up events before the Champions Trophy, a tri-series against Australia and Pakistan in the Netherlands and three one-dayers against England.
He will drop out of the squad for the Champions Trophy, which runs from Sept 10 to 25. Left-armer Zaheer, 25, took over as India's pace spearhead after Javagal Srinath retired following last year's World Cup, but has been plagued by hamstring problems.
The injury resurfaced at the Asia Cup and although he played the final, Zaheer looked much below his best. "We got the physio's report yesterday and on that basis we have left out Zaheer," cricket board secretary Karunakaran Nair told reporters.
Nair said Zaheer's full recovery would be crucial as India have a heavy schedule after the Champions Trophy, including home Test series against Australia and South Africa.
