Zaheer’s ankle injury adds to India’s woes

As if the galling loss to England on Thursday night was not enough, India got injury added to insult. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan twisted his left ankle during England’s three-wicket win.

As if the galling loss to England on Thursday night was not enough, India got injury added to insult. Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan twisted his left ankle during England’s three-wicket win.

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Despite the injury, Zaheer bowled with fire to give India the initial breakthrough. However, when he came back for his second spell towards the end of the match, the left-arm paceman appeared to be struggling.

“He twisted his ankle. He came through fine and got through the game,” India skipper Rahul Dravid said after the match. “Now it’s just going to be a question of waiting and watching, seeing how he is in the morning.”

The injury came when Zaheer took off for a run after flicking to the square during his cameo (20 off 19) that helped India cross the 200-run mark.

Zaheer, who is also carrying a groin injury, had missed the second ODI in Bristol due to viral fever.

If Zaheer, India’s Man of the Series in the Test win, is unavailable for Sunday’s fifth ODI, it would be a big setback to India’s fading hopes of winning the next three games to end the tour on a high note.

Dravid was hopeful about Zaheer playing on Sunday, though.

“We have got a couple of days, and it’s a good sign that he went through the game and bowled,” he said.

Meanwhile, the effects of a long tour were evident on the field on Thursday as Yuvraj Singh, India’s top-scorer, appeared to be struggling while fielding in the latter part of England’s run-chase. Yuvraj appeared to be in trouble while bending down and while chasing the ball.

Administrative manager Rajeev Shukla, however, dismissed worries about Yuvraj’s fitness. “He is absolutely fine,” Shukla told HT on Friday. “There is no problem."