Fast bowler Zaheer Khan will miss the Champions Trophy in South Africa, the Indian cricket board has announced.

The paceman injured his bowling-arm shoulder while fielding in the second edition of the Indian Premier League in May.

Zaheer further aggravated the injury during the World Twenty20 in England and missed the four-match one-day series against the West Indies which followed.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan confirmed the bowler underwent shoulder surgery in South Africa in July.

"Zaheer had an arthroscopic labral repair in his left shoulder on July 13," Srinivasan said.

"The surgery was conducted by Johannesburg-based doctor Mark Ferguson.

"Zaheer is undergoing rehabilitation in South Africa and is recovering very well.

To return only by the year's end

"He is expected to return to international cricket by the end of this year."

Srinivasan said the left-armer would return to India on Sunday, but will go back to South Africa to continue rehabilitation.

Beginning with a tri-series in Sri Lanka which also involves New Zealand in September, India have a cramped schedule which includes the Champions Trophy from September 22 and a seven-match one-day series against Australia from October 25.

India are then scheduled to host Sri Lanka for a full series starting in November.