NOTTINGHAM: India spearhead Zaheer Khan has been ruled out of the second Test because of hamstring injury, skipper Mahendera Singh Dhoni confirmed Thursday.
The second Test begins here Friday at Trent Bridge.
The left-armer bowled an impressive new-ball spell, dismissing both England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, before clutching his hamstring in his 14th over on the first day of the Lord's Test, and trotting off the field. He didn't return except for two short batting spells.
In his absence, India will either go with Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth as back-up seamers.
India opener Gautam Gambhir, who hurt his left elbow during the first Test, also looks a doubtful starter for the second Test.
A decision on him would be taken on the morning of the Test, Dhoni was quoted as saying in cricinfo.
England have taken a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series and will dislodge India as the No.1 side if they win the series with a two-Test margin.