CENTURION, South Africa (AP) — India are likely to be without their leading fast bowler on a pace-friendly Centurion pitch for the first Test against South Africa today.

Left-arm quick Zaheer Khan was “quite doubtful” because of a groin injury, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said yesterday.

Without Khan’s 10-year experience, India’s attack will be lighter at SuperSport Park, where conditions are expected to suit the aggressive fast bowling tactics of South Africa.

“Of course it is a blow,” Dhoni said of the possibility of losing his bowling spearhead. “But, at the same time we have to see the longer picture… Until we are 100 per cent sure about his fitness or the injury we won’t risk him.”

Speaking at the team hotel in Johannesburg after rain caused India to miss their final training session at Centurion, Dhoni also confirmed Zaheer would be replaced by an uncapped player if he was ruled out — a decision which will be made on the morning of the match, the captain said.

Either 19-year-old medium-pacer Jaidev Unadkat or Umesh Yadav, 23, is set to step into the Test 11 for the first time.

Unadkat has played just eight first-class matches and has yet to feature in an international game. Yadav, a right-arm fast bowler, has played three ODIs and 17 first-class matches.

“The guy who will be making his debut, what will be important will be to bowl to his strength,” Dhoni said. “Enjoying the moment is one of the most crucial things, rather than getting caught up in the expectation level or the pressure. So, I think it’s a good opportunity.”

Zaheer’s absence will benefit the South African team in conditions already helpful to their own fast bowlers. Rain throughout the week at Centurion — just north of Johannesburg — has made a pitch which was already pace-friendly even juicier. It has also put Thursday’s first day’s play in doubt.

Earlier yesterday, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said at SuperSport Park, where light drizzle continued to fall, that his team hoped for “pace and bounce” from the pitch in the first of three Tests between cricket’s top-ranked teams.

There was also pressure on the No 1-ranked India to prove theirelf as the best team in the world in unfamiliar conditions, Smith said.

India have lost all four of their previous series in South Africa and although they are unbeaten in their last nine series, eight of those have been played on generally slow pitches on the Asian subcontinent.