End of the road for Zaheer Khan?

Kolkata, December 10: It's never prudent to write off someone who has been a class act over some time, knowing that all it takes for such talent to bounce back is rediscover pride and belief.

But, then, Zaheer Khan's omission from the Nagpur Test squad has come at a time when recovery and resilience have a very different ring to it for him.

It's not just the skills that have deserted him, it is becoming increasingly evident that his injury-wracked body is not holding up anymore. It has left him looking lethargic and disinterested on the field, and probably has something to do with the loss of 'bite' in his bowling.

What's wrong with Zaheer? His skipper was more gracious than blunt when the obvious question came up, but not before he hinted at disappointment about his hit-man performing well below expectations.

"It would be of a great help if we can find the solution as everybody is asking the same question. Maybe the batsmen are playing him better. From behind (the wicket), it looks like he's bowling in the right areas. He's bowling the same way, swinging it both ways. Maybe this is just a phase where he's not getting wickets," Mahendra Singh Dhoni contended, but not after saying that he had expected a little more from his seamers.

"Their fast bowlers bowled well (read better). When we took the second new ball, we couldn't get the sort of 'reverse' they got. It was more about the bounce (they got) and the length they bowled," Dhoni added as a veiled reprimand of the reverse-swing expert in his team.

On the 34-year-old's fitness, or the lack of it, Dhoni indicated indulgence, a longer rope to someone whose skills had lent an air of 'indispensability' about him. "As far as his fitness is concerned, he has been that way for the last few years. He's definitely not unfit," the skipper said.

Hamstring, ankle, groin and shoulder with a nerve twitch thrown in... Zaheer has been dogged by injuries right through his career, missing many matches. He has made many a comeback, only to be let down by his body again.

This is a different crisis. Possibly the biggest test for the 'comeback man'.

ZAHEER IN TESTS

- In 2012, Zaheer has claimed 15 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 49.26.

- Zaheer failed to produce a single instance of four wickets in an innings in eight Tests in 2012.

- Zaheer's strike rate of 97.9 this year is his worst ever in a calendar year.

- Zaheer's last five-wicket haul in a Test innings was 5/94 in the Mohali Test against Australia in October 2010.

- Zaheer has failed to capture five wickets in an innings in the last 15 Tests that he has played.

- Zaheer's strike rate of 132.7 in three Tests against England is his worst in a Test series when he has played at least three Tests in a series.

- Zaheer's bowling average of 53.25 is his worst in a series (minimum 3 Tests).