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New Delhi: Who will shoulder India's pace burden now that spearhead Zaheer Khan's surgery has ruled him out for at least five months? The onus falls on two Delhi pacers - the young Ishant Sharma and the veteran Ashish Nehra - to step up and deliver during the long and gruelling season ahead.
Both Nehra and Ishant seemed optimistic about the team's chances when TOI caught up with them on Friday. Comeback-man Nehra, for one, is upbeat about his prospects and hopes he will stay fit throughout. Ishant admitted Zaheer would be missed but the lanky pacer is keen on seeing India continue their winning momentum in One-dayers.
'Zaheer has been quite a sensation for India lately and the team is going to miss him. But since I am the senior-most bowler in the line-up, I am ready to shoulder the responsibility in Zaheer's absence. I have been bowling well in recent months and I have the confidence to do well for the country again,' Nehra told TOI on Friday, adding: 'I only hope to be fit throughout the season and am keeping my fingers crossed.'
The left-arm seamer also pointed out, 'India will be playing only three Tests in the next nine months. We have a lot of One-dayers, and our fast bowling department is good enough to handle pressure situations. I have missed more than two-and-a-half years due to injuries but I am happy with my form now. I had a decent outing in the West Indies and even this year's IPL was good for me.'
Ishant, meanwhile, is enjoying a much-needed break at home. But in the late afternoons he is a regular at the Ramjas Sports Complex nets in Patel Nagar. 'I am working on strengthening exercises these days,' he told TOI, 'This is the off-season and I am doing all the drills which a fast bowler needs to do to maintain fitness levels.
'We are certainly going to miss Zaheer but we have to make the best use of our resources. Zaheer has been of great help to me ever since I started playing for India. I am certainly going to miss him. Injuries are part of the game. But there are seniors in the team who can help me out,' he said.
'This is a crucial season for us. We want to keep our winning momentum in One-dayers intact. One can't be in top form throughout but it is important to contribute to the team's win,' he added. Nehra also felt India had good 'resources' to fall back on in Zaheer's absence. 'Apart from Ishant, Praveen Kumar and RP Singh have also been impressive in recent months. They have a good future ahead of them,' he said.
