Zaheer Khan talks about his getting back to fitness, Ishant’s form and more in a chat with SportsCenter’s Sai Prasad Mohapatra.

Q. When are you expected to be fit and ready for international cricket again?

A. I am working on my match fitness and my bowling fitness. I will be starting by playing domestic cricket from 28th of this month. I have been bowling quite a lot for the last two weeks. Since coming from Johannesburg, I have been running around the field and bowling a lot.

Q. You will be starting with playing Twenty20 matches, where you will have to bowl just four overs. Is that an ideal way to make your comeback from injury?

A. I would have preferred to start with the four-day matches, where I could bowl a lot of overs. That would have helped me in getting back to full fitness.

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Q. India's performance in South Africa was very disappointing. How did you feel being just a spectator, unable to contribute?

A. You can't do anything with what's happening on the ground when you are sitting outside. But, it was frustrating at times.

Q. Ishant Sharma's bowling form is the talk of the town these days. What do you suggest?

A. He is a very young and promising lad. He's just going through a bad patch. Let him be at the moment. I am sure he wants to get back to his peak form soon. He just needs to get back to the basics.

Q. You have always been seen in a mentor's role to Ishant, giving him tips and encouraging him while he is bowling. Could your absence be a reason for his bad form?

A. That is the role I have been playing in the Indian team for some time now. It's good if I can pass on my experiences and help the youngsters. Ishant just needs to be patient with himself.

Q. Twenty20 has changed the bowling style. It is more about containing the batsman now these days?

A. The bowling changes with the change in format. You can just control the controllable situations. If you are not getting a wicket you try to limit the runs. But, be it any format of the game, it is important to pick wickets.

Q. Australia are about to tour India. How will India perform? What is your best India-Australia moment?

A. No doubt, it will be a good series and India will be great. The last Test series here is the best one till now.

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