Zaheer Khan wants to be the decisive factor

Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan's fitness remains a concern ahead of the first Test against Australia next week even though he did not show any discomfort while bowling during a practice match in Canberra.

Zaheer Khan

Fifteen overs in the three-day match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI might have been good for keeping his critics at bay but there isn't enough evidence that the left-arm pacer would be able to handle a workload of 40 overs in a Test.

Only 72 hours separate the first and second Tests of the series and the demands on the creaking joints of the 33-year-old are only going to multiply manifold.

Zaheer simply hasn’t exerted enough during the nets or in the middle to show that he could chase, dive around or throw from the deep with sufficient energy. His bowling, from afar, appeared to lack a strong finish and his famous rhythm, quite simply, was missing.

Zaheer has often said he relies on bowling a great number of overs to improve his fitness and maintain his rhythm but post-recovery from an ankle surgery, the left-arm paceman just hasn’t been able to bowl to his liking.

Zaheer, who picked up 10 wickets in three Tests at an average of 40 during previous trips, said he is desperate to make up for the past.

"This tour is very important for me," Zaheer, who bowled five overs on the final day of a practice match, said.

"I want to be the factor which makes the difference as there are so many expectations on me. The way I see it, it all worked out perfectly fine, because I had a four-month break so I could prepare well for this series," he added.

Zaheer, and the rest of the team, could have at the most three sessions before the Boxing Day Test is unveiled on 26th December.

For the Indian team to live up to its billing, Zaheer would have to turn up in top shape for the Test series.

There is some top class cricket betting action to enjoy over Christmas, with the First Test of Australia v India cricket match to look forward to on Boxing Day.