After Ishant Sharma Fiasco in Delhi, 'Missing' Zaheer Khan Keeps Mumbai Guessing
Ishant Sharma was left out of the Delhi Ranji Trophy team because he did not attend a phone call from selectors. Now Mumbai are unsure about Zaheer Khan's whereabouts.
The 2015-16 Ranji Trophy continues to be in the news for strange reasons. First, it was the Ishant Sharma fiasco for the Delhi Ranji team that ruffled a few feathers. Now, it is the turn of Zaheer Khan and 40-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai to stir up some intrigue. (Zaheer Khan Happy With Comeback After Injury)
Mumbai announced their Ranji squad for the first two Ranji matches against Andhra Pradesh and Punjab and Zaheer's name did not figure in the list. According to a report in the Sunday Mid-Day, Mumbai Cricket Association joint-secretary Dr Unmesh Khanwilkar said, "Zaheer is unavailable for the first two matches. Once he confirms his availability, he will be considered for selection." (Punished In Sri Lanka, Ishant's Troubles Come Home)
MCA is unaware of Zaheer's whereabouts. At first glance, this seems to be the main reason why he was not picked. Prior to naming the squad, Zaheer had not attended any pre-season training camps and neither was he present for the two preparatory camps before the season. This begs the question: Where is Zaheer? No one has an idea.
Zaheer's situation comes days after his once new-ball opening partner, Ishant, was not picked in the Delhi team for their first game against Vidarbha. The chairman of selectors for the Delhi team, Vinay Lamba, had given this reason for Ishant's non-selection.
"We tried contacting Ishant but neither did he pick up calls nor replied to our text messages. Also we don't know whether he can play a first-class match during the period of his ban. If he is eligible to play we will add him in the squad," Lamba had said.
Zaheer last played a Test for India in February 2014 against New Zealand in Wellington. Since then, he has been plagued by fitness issues and he missed the 2014/15 Ranji Trophy for Mumbai due to a shoulder injury. He was picked by the Delhi Daredevils in the 2015 IPL and he picked up seven wickets in seven games. He has expressed his desire to play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai in the 2015/16 season.