CENTURION (South Africa) AFP - :- Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seemed resigned on Wednesday to being without injured fast bowler Zaheer Khan for the first Test against South Africa starting at SuperSport Park today (Thursday). Dhoni said the left-arm strike bowler was a doubtful starter because of a hamstring injury. If Zaheer does not make a rapid recovery, India will have to choose between two uncapped fast bowlers, Umesh Yadav and the left-armed Jaidev Unadkat. Well make a call tomorrow morning but as of now Zaheer is quite doubtful, said Dhoni. Whoever plays will be making his debut so we will have to see what the best combination is. We will have a discussion with the senior players and suit the best eleven that suits the conditions. Dhoni acknowledged that the likely absence of Zaheer was a blow. He has always led the bowling attack, whatever the conditions are, whether its a flat wicket or a seaming track. He is one bowler who has always done well for us. But we have to see the longer picture. We are so close to the World Cup, a major injury to any of our best eleven players may have a big impact. If we are not 100 percent sure about the injury or his fitness we wont risk it. Rain prevented both South Africa and India from practicing on Wednesday but, like his counterpart Graeme Smith, Dhoni said the major preparation had already been done and that only a light practice would have been held on the day before the game. 'Dhoni said the toss could give an advantage to the captain calling correctly. We had a look at the pitch from a distance yesterday and it looked to be a bit damp. Without the sun, it will stay damp and the fast bowlers will get something out of it. If we win the toss it will be 60-40 in our favour. The Indian captain said that being the number one Test team, playing against their nearest challengers, did not add unusual pressure on his team.