NEW DELHI (Reuters)
India paceman Ashish Nehra, sidelined for over two months after a groin injury, believes he will be fit in time for a three-Test series in South Africa starting next month.

Nehra missed a series in Sri Lanka in August and was ruled out of the current one-day tournament involving India, Kenya and hosts South Africa after failing a fitness test. "I'm confident I'll be fit for the Test series," the left-arm paceman said on Tuesday. "There was a strain in my lower abdomen and groin, but it's almost gone now."

Nehra, who made his test debut in 1998-99, was overlooked for two seasons before emerging as one of India's leading bowlers on tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka this year. He has picked up 12 wickets at 25.91 in three Tests and 13 in 10 one-day internationals at 29.92.

"I have spoken to Dr Anant Joshi. He will examine me shortly. I'm still waiting for the board to give me a date for my fitness test," Nehra said. "I'm getting back my speed slowly and gradually. Things are going according to plan." The India squad for the Tests will be strengthened by the return of Nehra and batsman VVS Laxman, who said this month he had recovered from knee surgery and would be available for the series. Laxman, who hit an Indian Test record score of 281 this year to inspire his team to a shock 2-1 home series win over Australia, sustained a ligament tear in July during a one-day triangular tournament in Sri Lanka. The injury forced him out of the subsequent three-Test series won 2-1 by Sri Lanka and also ruled him out of the current one-day series in South Africa.

Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan is also hoping to make a comeback in the Tests after being left out of the one-day tournament because of a leg injury. BCCI officials said on Tuesday Khan had submitted a fitness certificate and would be tested along with Nehra.

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