After retiring from cricket, Zaheer Khan is busy with his commentary and his business. Recently he has launched a fitness chain called ProSport. In a recent chat with the CrickerSoccer.com, the former left-arm pacer who had bagged 601 international wickets in three formats of the game, revealed how excited he is about the upcoming India-England Test series. He doesn’t make any prediction. But Zaheer opined that the current weather conditions of England and the drier pitches will help Indian team to play their best cricket in the series.
Here are the excerpts:
CricketSoccer (CS): After your retirement, India haven’t produced a good left-arm seamer. What could be the reason?
Zaheer Khan (ZK): Yes, India is lacking a quality left-arm pacer. But I suppose there is no particular reason behind it. There is no science to produce a left arm pacer. It’s not that one fine day you go on to the field and picked up 3-4 talented left-arm seamers. I am sure we will see some good left-arm seamers in the national team very soon.
CS: But lack of left arm pacers must bring some limitations in the team’s strategy…..
ZK: Yes, I agree. Left-arm pacers create a certain angle. They bring a lot of variations in the bowling strength with them. At the same time, the foot-marks created by them come very handy for the offspinners as they can utilise them to the fullest.
CS: How would you rate, India’s pace bowling line up that is to play against England in the upcoming test series?
ZK: Oh, the Indian pace bowling strength is very balanced. The inclusion of Mohammad Shami has made it more lethal. Shami has pace, he can swing. He can do the reverse also. The extra yard or two of pace can always make the difference. Then there is experienced Ishant (Sharma). With his height, he can generate an extra bit of bounce on any surface. Umesh also has that x-factor of pace. In a nutshell, they can make the life of English batsmen a tough one. But Bhubaneswar Kumar’s absence will be felt. He is such a bowler who could be very effective in English condition. Hope that he regains his fitness and make a quick comeback.
CS: James Anderson has been one of your favorite bowlers. Can he be as lethal as he was in India’s last tour in the UK?
ZK: James is a world class bowler and his record says it all. He is always a factor. But since he is 35 now, I’m waiting to see how he approaches the five-match Test series.
CS: What would be your prediction?
ZK: When two world-class teams like India and England collide, you should not make any prediction. But one thing I must add. This time the pitches in England are looking dry and India will be happy. They will play their best cricket in the series.
