He also paid tribute to batting legend Younis Khan while praising experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik for regaining his place in all three formats.
Advertisement
“As I was training for the upcoming season, it dawned on me that my shoulder may not last the rigours of bowling almost 18 overs a day, and that’s when I knew it was time”, Khan said in an elaborate statement. And Zaheer Khan stepped up, digging into his repertoire of tricks to account for Michael Hussey with a beauty.
“Zaheer will go down as one of the finest fast bowler in the history of Indian cricket”. Cricket has made me the individual that I am, giving me everything in life and much more. “The fact I have been making comebacks and responding to injuries (rehabilitation) well is something which I am really proud of”, Zaheer said. He metamorphosed from just a fast bowler into a maestro.
Zaheer Khan of India appeals unsuccessfully, during day one of the 2nd Test between India and Australia played at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, India. His retirement thus comes as a no surprise to critics and fans. I spoke to everyone before I announced – right from Yuvraj Singh to Bhajji, (VVS) Laxman, Anil (Kumble). He became fitter, mastered both swings – conventional and reverse – and a stint with Worcestershire (78 wickets) toughened him.
In the last decade, he has been an inspiration for many cricketers round the globe. Possessor of searing pace and an able under-study to Srinath, were the initial impressions and none can forget the ominous troika he formed with his mentor and Ashish Nehra while Sourav Ganguly’s men finished runners-up in the 2003 World Cup at South Africa. He also bags the record of India’s best bowler after tracking the second highest wicket taker in the Indian team. Do you think you got to know your body well only towards the later half of your career? After a year and more in the wilderness, the decision to retire – even if tinged with a few regret – was appropriate. “Thank you for all your brilliance on the cricket field”, the BCCI tweeted. The camera then focused for a good while on Zaheer, who was sitting in the dressing room and having a laugh about it. As the camera began focusing on the lady again, she blew a kiss to Zaheer which followed a loud cheer from everyone in the stadium.
It was also a delivery that symbolised his wasteful youth, when his wonted gifts surfaced all too sporadically, when his career oscillated between promise and disappointment, when he seemed like a bowler capable of being brilliant and blasé at any given moment. He said that the Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team had already visited Pakistan and Sri Lanka is also setting up teams to send to the country. He has pocketed 282 and 311 wickets in Tests and ODIs respectively. Being a fast bowler in the Indian sub-continent is challenging but he led the bowling attack with distinction and contributed significantly to the success of Indian cricket. This is where skill, variation, imagination, control, accuracy and a deep desire to win the battle of wits with batsmen come into play. Zaheer said he was satisfied with all that he achieved. Need we say more?
“I am hopeful after the ICC meetings that India will soon send their answers about the series in December”.
Perhaps the big regret is that unlike Kapil, Zaheer did not enjoy supreme fitness and had a start-stop career. Under him India got blowers like Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and many more.
Khan will still play domestic cricket, after confirming he will feature in the IPL, but he admitted the reason for bowing out of the global scene was due to conditioning.
Advertisement
His genial personality made him a favourite with all the captains he played under, as well as his peers and particularly younger players who he helped without any sense of insecurity.
