ssparikshya
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LONDON: Injured Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan might be forced out of the second Test against England as well after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni stated that he would not take a risk with the fast bowler's fitness.
"We have three days but I am not 100 percent sure he will play or not," said Dhoni.
"It is a long series and we do not want to risk any further injury," he told reporters after the 196-run loss to England in the first Test in which Zaheer was absent for most part of the match due to a hamstring strain.
"If we feel he is close to 80 or 90 percent fit but playing the game may increase his chances of being injured we will call someone else in," he added.
Dhoni said given the hectic schedule, it would not be prudent to risk a player's long-term future.
"I feel with the kind of cricket we are playing it is important to get people fit and not risk someone for one individual game," he said.
Zaheer picked up the injury after just three hours of play on the opening day of the match, leaving India a bowler short in the match.
"We have three days but I am not 100 percent sure he will play or not," said Dhoni.
"It is a long series and we do not want to risk any further injury," he told reporters after the 196-run loss to England in the first Test in which Zaheer was absent for most part of the match due to a hamstring strain.
"If we feel he is close to 80 or 90 percent fit but playing the game may increase his chances of being injured we will call someone else in," he added.
Dhoni said given the hectic schedule, it would not be prudent to risk a player's long-term future.
"I feel with the kind of cricket we are playing it is important to get people fit and not risk someone for one individual game," he said.
Zaheer picked up the injury after just three hours of play on the opening day of the match, leaving India a bowler short in the match.
