Last updated on: November 04, 2012 16:57 IST

Injuries to Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan clouded India's preparations for the first Test against England, starting next week.

Both the veterans were taking part in the Ranji Trophy first round matches for their state teams.

Playing for Mumbai against Railways at the Wankhede stadium, Zaheer bowled 20.5 overs on Sunday, taking one wicket for 41 runs, before he pulled up with what looked like discomfort in his groin area. The nature of the injury is not clear yet but it will be a big blow for the hosts if he is forced to miss the opening Test match in Ahmedabad, starting on November 15.

Meanwhile, Sehwag was unable to open the innings for Delhi in their second innings against Uttar Pradesh. He sustained an injury on the ring finger of his right hand when fielding at first slip on Saturday.

Mohammed Kaif, who was batting on 78, got an outside edge off Ishant Sharma but Sehwag failed to take the catch and in the process hurt his finger.

The injury forced Sehwag to bat at No. 6 for Delhi in their second innings. He batted for nearly an hour till the stumps to score 21 not out from 44 and partner Mithun Manhas was unbeaten on 63 as Delhi reached 197 for four in 48 overs in their second innings at stumps on day three.