After he suffered the injury he was benched, and did not take to the ground for any single match. But such it seems is his towering presence that the owner of Mumbai Indians Neeta Ambani kept him by her left side in all the matches that Mumbai Indians played. This also seems to be the guiding principle in selecting Zaheer for the Indian team, though it is not clear whether he has undergone any fitness test or not.

The Board of Cricket Control of India had cleared Zaheer and qualified the suspense surrounding his injury by saying that had there been a doubt about his level of fitness, it would have been clarified by the BCCI.

Zaheer after suffering an injury on his bowling shoulder while diving to stop a drive by the Bangalore Royal Challengers' Robin Uthappa in Johannesburg was made to undergo a scan that indicated "some inflammation". The team management was of the view that the injury was not as serious as had previously been thought. But he did not take part in the Mumbai Indians' remaining matches.

For Zaheer this might turn out to be an opportunity from the heaven as he was not a part of the Indian squad that won the World Cup in its inaugural edition and with his experience being added to the Indian repertoire along with the new form that RP Singh has stuck, Indian bowling would be blessed with the problem of the plenty, at least in the pace bowling department.

Based on the team composition, Anil Kumble, the erstwhile Indian captain, and one of the sharpest minds that emerged from the current IPL season in South Africa was of the view that India remained favorites to retain the title in the World Twenty20 as they had the most balanced side.

What is needed from this team, opined Kumble is to play to their potential and he also discounted the possibility of Indian players being jaded after a hectic IPL tournament.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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