India's Zaheer out after surgery

Left-armer Zaheer is a crucial part of India's pace attack

India paceman Zaheer Khan is out of action until the end of the year after surgery on his left shoulder.

Zaheer, 30, is expected to miss a tri-series in Sri Lanka, the Champions Trophy in South Africa and a one-day series against Australia.

He picked up the injury in May when fielding in the Indian Premier League.

The left-armer aggravated the problem during the World Twenty20 in England and missed his side's four-match one-day series against the West Indies.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary N Srinivasan said: "Zaheer had an arthroscopic labral repair in his left shoulder on 13 July.

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

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

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

Srinivasan said Zaheer would return to India on Sunday, but will go back to South Africa to continue rehabilitation.

India will play in a tri-series in Sri Lanka, which also involves New Zealand, during September.

They then travel to South Africa for the Champions Trophy, which takes place between 22 September and 5 October, before a seven-match one-day series against Australia from 25 October.

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