Zaheer Khan may return, Yadav, Pujara may play too

After centurion loss, India hope Zaheer returns in Durban; Yadav, Pujara may play too

There could be wholesale changes to the Indian XI for the second

Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban with Zaheer Khan getting fitter, Umesh Yadav impressing bowling coach Eric Simons with his pace and bounce, and Cheteshwar Pujara pushing under-performing Suresh Raina for a spot in the middle-order.

Zaheer Khan bowls during a nets session earlier this year in Bangalore. PIC/Getty Images

Skipper MS Dhoni feels that Zaheer's experience would help a lot. "That would be a big boost because he brings a lot of experience. He also brings new plans to the table," said Dhoni.

On Sunday, during the lunch interval when India had their backs against the wall, reeling on 277-6, the bench players were seen putting in a strenuous workout session alongside coach Gary Kirsten, mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton and Simons.

With India's fast bowlers failing to trouble the Proteas in the first Test here at SuperSport Park, the strapping Yadav could force his way into the team. "I am enjoying bowling on these tracks. I was here last year for the IPL (for Delhi Daredevils) too," said Yadav.

So would he be ready if called up for the Durban Test? "It is a good learning curve to be in this dressing room. I am not thinking far ahead. The captain has told me to just enjoy myself," said Yadav.

Pujara, too, is ready just in case he is called up in place of Raina: "Spending time at Gary Kirsten's academy was very useful. There is lot of bounce in these pitches, you needs to alter your batting style to succeed. It is a great challenge to do well here.

"I am happy with my preparations. I would be ready if called upon to play, I'm not thinking about it though," added Pujara.

Kirsten fended off a bouncer thrown at him by this correspondent with a pinch of sarcasm. When asked if a better performance was expected at Durban, Kirsten said: "No mate, we are going to put up an even worse performance," he laughed before adding, "of course, we will look to put up a better showing at Durban. The morale in the team is good."

Zak is back
Meanwhile, it was an encouraging sign to see pace spearhead Zaheer bowl in the nets. He was seen being attended to by team physio Paul Close. "Zaheer is doing a lot better now. It is good to see him bowling in the nets. He could be fit for Durban. Hope he can recover," Close said minutes after the net session.

S Sreesanth, who led the attack in the absence of Zaheer here, blamed the toss for India's debacle: "Wish we had first use of the wicket. We could have done a lot better in the game then. The pitch flattened out too much as the match progressed," he said.

A glance at India's record at Durban does not make for good reading. But, the team management is doing everything in its capacity to keep the spirits high in the dressing room.