Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan will miss Tuesday's one-off Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Sehwag is nursing a glute problem and has left for home along with Zaheer for treatment, according to team officials. The explosive batsman had also
missed the final ODI because of the problem.
Zaheer will head to the National Cricket Academy to prepare for the two-Test series against New Zealand, starting in Hyderabad on Aug 23.
The match will be a mild precursor to the World Twenty20 to be staged in the island nation in September-October and will provide the final opportunity for Indian selectors before they name the squad for the tournament.
India and Sri Lanka face in a T20 tie after a gap of two years. The game will give another opportunity for younger players, especially the likes of Manoj Tiwary, who gave a good account of himself in the 4-1 ODI series win after being made to wait for an inordinately long time to get a look in.
Vettori doubtful for India series
New Delhi: New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori, who is suffering from a groin injury, is likely to miss the two-match Test series against India, starting from August 23. The Kiwi tweaker was forced out of the second Test against the West Indies at Jamaica last week.
“It's not looking likely at this stage. There is a 90 per cent chance Dan won’t be there,” New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor said. He said that they were weighing their options and looking forward at who will be able to fill the big shoes of Vettori.
Pietersen, Broad make SA wobble
Leeds: Kevin Pietersen enjoyed rare success as a bowler and Stuart Broad took four quick wickets to give South Africa some anxious moments on the fifth and final day of the second Test against England at Headingley on Monday. Despite their efforts, the match was almost certain to end in a draw. South Africa were 239 for seven at tea, a lead of 233 with a possible 44 overs remaining.
Brief scores: South Africa 419 & 258-9 decl. (Rudolph 69, Smith 52; Broad 5-69, Pietersen 3-52); England 425 (Pietersen 149, Prior 68, Strauss 37; Tahir 3-92)