Zaheer Khan : Time to move on from a legend of the game

When Zaheer Khan returned in the Indian team for the tour to South Africa, it was said that this will be his second coming. He seemed a lot leaner and had a renewed sense of vigor. He himself admitted to feeling much fresher than before. Although he had a history of breaking down in between test matches, the selectors took a punt on his experience for the all-important African tour.

After bowling decently well in the first test match where he bowled long testing spells, he looked out of his depth in the second one. His speeds reduced below acceptable levels in his second and third spells and he looked a jaded and spent force. And not many were surprised when he was dropped for the tour to England. His body was deemed not fit enough for the rigors of five day cricket.

For all the optimists out there who would be hoping for a final swansong for one of India’s greatest fast bowlers, there doesn’t seem to be any in sight. He was injured in the IPL while playing for Mumbai and this is not a good enough sign for a bowler who was stacking claims to be the test bowling spearhead for the country. His breakdown in the first test of the India’s tour to England in 2011 had signaled the beginning of a disastrous tour for India. The selectors were never going to take a chance again on an arduous 5 test tour.

At 35 he is not getting any younger and there are host of fast bowlers vying for a spot in the test team. I think this may just be the end of road for the left-armer as far as the test arena goes. India’s bowling line-up is quite settled in the one day format as well and it will be difficult for him to force his way into the line-up. His misery will be exacerbated by the fact that he is supposed to be a liability on the field and although he showed initial promise with the bat he has recently got accustomed to wild swings even in precarious situations which demand restraint.

The only thing going in his favor is that there seems to be no good left arm fast bowler emerging in the Indian domestic circuit. This could be his last straw if the selectors look for variety in the team, but even for that he needs to prove his fitness and over a sustained period.

I am a big fan of Zaheer Khan and have nothing but respect for the man who has single-handedly kept the flag of Indian fast bowling flying high in the last decade. But I do think that it’s time to move on for the fast bowler and take up a mentorship role.