Zaheer Khan will miss the opening Test of the home series against South Africa.
The pace ace, who is undergoing treatment on his injured left heel, has ruled himself out of the first Test beginning in Chennai on March 26.
Speaking to rediff.com Zaheer, who will represent the Rahul Dravid-led Bangalore Royal Challengers in the inaugural Indian Premier League next month said, "I'll certainly not be playing the first Test against South Africa."
"But I'm hopeful of playing in the next two Tests and the IPL that follows the Test series. It all depends on how my rehabilitation goes."
The left-armer felt he is well ahead of his recovery schedule but needs to play a few matches in order to gauge his fitness.
"In a Test match one needs to bowl at least 35 overs over a period of five days which means putting too much stress on my heel. I am not ready for it now," said Zaheer.
The 29-year-old Indian suffered an injury on his left heel on the eve of the second Test against Australia in Sydney. The injury forced him to return home and he was replaced by Punjab pacer VRV Singh.
Zaheer subsequently went to South Africa for treatment.