The Indian team management was at a loss to explain the sudden injury of bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan right at the start of the Asia Cup cricket tournament.

Zaheer bowled nine overs against Sri Lanka on Sunday before retiring to the dressing room. And when the Indians chased 282 under lights, he came out with a runner.

When contacted, team physio Andrew Leipus said he would like to have a closer look at the left-arm paceman before committing himself on the issue.

"I will take a closer look at him later today and only then would be able to make an informed comment," he said.

Captain Sourav Ganguly also found himself in no position to comment either, but revealed that the "paceman complained of a thigh injury" during Sunday's game.

Whether Zaheer Khan stays or returns to India, the issue has already left the team management in a very awkward position.

Both captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright have reasons to feel upset about this latest injury episode, as do Leipus and trainer Gregory Allen King, who have cause to feel peeved since it leaves them too many questions to answer.

Zaheer's injury will leave the likes of Wright, Leipus and King in a very precarious position and they must be half-expecting some plain-speaking from the Board on the issue.

It has now become a regular phenomenon with Zaheer to declare his fitness and then show up as injured no sooner than a series begins.

Only a few days ago, at the start of the competition, Ganguly was thanking his stars for having an injury-free team at his disposal.

"It is the first time in my career as a captain when I am getting a full team and we hope to make the most of the situation," Ganguly had remarked.

A thigh injury is not as bad as a groin one but that is small consolation as India still need their top paceman to fire and be the guiding light to emerging young bowlers Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji.

Zaheer returned from Australia with a groin injury last year and then briefly took part in the historic series against Pakistan before again submitting himself for medical attention.

In fact, Zaheer has a history of getting injured since he broke into the Indian team in the 1999-2000 mini World Cup. There has been more than one tour where he has either missed or returned home because of injury.

The latest injury could force him into hibernation for a longer period than he has experienced so far. Even if he does not return home, it is doubtful if his captain would again trust him with bowling responsibility for the remainder of the tournament.