India's strike bowler Zaheer Khan is confident that he will be fully fit for the third Test against Australia starting at Melbourne on Friday, Boxing Day.
The left-arm fast bowler missed the Adelaide Test, which India won by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series, because of a 'tight hamstring', but said he was keen to contribute to the team's cause on the Melbourne Cricket Ground track, which is expected to help fast bowlers.
"Things are positive so far and I am confident at this stage, working with Andrew [Leipus], things will be right," Khan said.
"It's been very hard to digest that I missed a game because of hamstring. I would have loved to be part of the winning eleven."
It was Khan who instilled self-belief among the Indian bowlers by effecting a rare Australian batting collapse in the first Test at the 'Gabba in Brisbane. After the hosts finished the first day at 236 for two, he took five wickets as Australia collapsed to 323 all out.
Khan said his approach would be the same as at the 'Gabba -- bowl flat out against the Australians, even if he oversteps the crease a few times. "But for losing wickets on a no-ball, I don't mind [overstepping]. For me, the key has always been to hit the right length and get my rhythm going."
Khan expressed confidence that the Indian batsmen were capable of hammering any attack and said the team has also prepared a plan to bowl to the formidable Australian batting line-up.
"Our batsmen are capable of hammering anyone. I would back my batsmen. As for bowling to their batters, we try to work out team plans and play accordingly.
"We decide on a plan, a strategy, how to bowl to a batsman. The plans are also dictated by the situation of a game."
Khan, who struggled with his action not very long ago, said he is at peace with his bowling methods and mentioned Sandy Gordon only to the extent where the psychologist acted as a sounding board.
"He has been an overall help," he said. "He has been trying to say the usual things, which we already know. It's just that when somebody endorses your viewpoint, you get the confidence boost.
"I'm happy with the way I am bowling. As I play more and more, you just have to keep analysing the action, which I constantly do."
