Without a doubt, Zaheer's presence in the team for the upcoming India vs England test match in the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, would be the strongest positive for the team to avenge the 4-0 debacle in England. Unfortunately, things aren't swaying in our favor, or Zaheer's, since he was being tormented by fitness troubles for the practice matches. He may be called off the playing eleven if his fitness is uncertain before the final team is decided.

On Friday afternoon, all of the 15 member Squad representing the Indian team were at the Mumbai stadium except for Harbhajan Singh who got delayed by a flight. At the team practice sessions, Zaheer wasn't as spirited as he usually was during the practice.

After a bit of warm up and football, he had to go and lie on the massage table as the Physiotherapist Evan Speechly attended to him for at least 40 minutes, helping him stretch and relax his muscles. A little while after the team hit the nets, the left arm pacer took the ball into his hands to deliver modestly fast deliveries. There was no sight of the trademark jump before the crease.

His fitness remained a mystery in his Ranji Trophy match earlier against Railways on Sunday who left the field after a sore groin and had not returned to the field on Monday too. The doubts regarding his fitness have only piled up with the recent performance at the nets.

However, the team spirit and the chumminess among the team in the practice sessions were a great sight and a positive sign heralding a majestic performance in the matches to come.

(AW- Anil)