I'm not ready for international cricket - Zaheer

Zaheer Khan, the Indian left-arm fast bowler, has indicated he won't be fit in time for the start of the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, which begins on March 26.

"As far as I am concerned, I still feel I am not ready for international cricket," Zaheer said on Wednesday at a promotional event to launch the team of Bangalore's IPL franchise, with whom he is contracted. "I have started bowling but I have been asked by doctors not to push it. That's also one thing I have learnt from experience."

Zaheer, who dropped out of the team ahead of the Sydney Test against Australia in early January with an ankle injury, said he would take another four to six weeks to recover fully, which makes him a doubtful starter even for the third Test in Kanpur that starts on April 11.

Zaheer had visited the Centre for Sports Medicine in Johannesburg for rehabilitation, and missed the mandatory fitness tests ahead of the South Africa series.

"One of the reasons I am not ready for Tests matches is because I have to bowl 30-35 overs across five days," Zaheer said. "Doctors have advised me to start with one-dayers and club games."

Fitness worries saw Zaheer miss the third Test against Pakistan last year. He had also been rested for the ICC World Twenty20 in September, having suffered an ankle injury while batting during the ODI series in England.

Zaheer said he wanted to play domestic cricket before making a decision, but clarified the Deodhar Trophy, which begins on March 14, would be too early for him to start playing competitive cricket.

He was pleased with his recovery so far. "The progress has been good and the body has responded well to rehabilitation. "

Venkatesh Prasad, India's bowling coach and also the coach for the Bangalore Royal Challengers, had said Zaheer needed time to recover.