Zaheer Khan's return to the Test side for the South Africa series did not surprise the senior India pacer.
There is a buzz that the return of the left-arm bowler, who last played a Test in the home series against England in December, was on the cards. “It was clear the selectors did not want to wear out Zaheer against the West Indies.
They wanted to take him to South Africa. All they wanted to see was his fitness which he has now proven. There was never any doubt about his skills,” a source said.
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It is learnt, selectors Sandeep Patil & Co have hinted to Zaheer that he is part of their plans for the 2015 World Cup that will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“Zaheer will be used very carefully by the team management. He will be made to play in only important series. He is a proven performer. All he needs to do is maintain his fitness levels,” the source said.
It is learnt that Zaheer might travel with the one-day team which will leave on December 1, so that he can get extra time to acclimatise to the conditions before the two-Test series kicks off.u00a0