Indian left-arm pace spearhead Zaheer Khan virtually ruled himself out of the forthcoming three-Test series against South Africa beggining in Chennai on March 26.

"As far as my fitness is concerned, I still feel I'm not ready for international cricket," Zaheer, part of the Royal Challengers squad, said here on Wednesday.

The Mumbai pacer, who went to Johannesburg for a three-week rehab programme, returned last weekend. For the record, Zaheer had returned from India's tour of Australia after the first Test with a bruised heel.

"I have started bowling but I have been advised by doctors not to push it. That's one thing I have learnt with experience. I'll play some domestic cricket before I take a call, but Deodhar Trophy is too early," he explained.
"One of the reasons I'm not ready for Test matches is you have to bowl 30-35 overs across five days. But I have been advised to start with one-dayers and club games. I should be okay in 4-6 weeks from now. The progress (on his rehabilitation) has been good, my body is doing well," he observed.

"When I come back I don't want to be 100 percent but 120 percent fit," Zaheer said.