New Delhi, October 6 (Daily Kiran) : Zaheer Khan, the fast bowler who revitalized the Indian cricket team and played a crucial role in their 2011 World Cup victory, celebrated his 48th birthday on Wednesday. Although his career as a cricketer has evolved, his impact as a fast bowler remains significant.
Born on October 8, 1978, in Shrirampur, Maharashtra, Zaheer came from a humble background. Initially, he aspired to become an engineer and even enrolled in college. However, he continued to play cricket, catching the attention of coach Naik while playing local cricket for Mumbai. Impressed by Zaheer’s talent, Naik advised him to focus on cricket instead of engineering.
This pivotal advice not only transformed Zaheer’s life but also gifted Indian cricket a fast bowler who continues to inspire young players.
Zaheer Khan’s bowling was characterized by its variety. He possessed remarkable skills in swing, yorkers, bouncers, and slower balls, keeping opposing batsmen on edge.
Having played domestic cricket for Mumbai and Baroda, Zaheer made his international debut in 2000. By the time he played his last match in 2014, he had been a leading figure in India’s bowling attack across all formats. Despite facing injury challenges, Zaheer represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20s, claiming 311, 282, and 17 wickets respectively.
Zaheer’s contributions were vital in making India the ODI World Cup champions. He was the team’s top bowler in the tournament, tying for first place in wickets alongside Shahid Afridi, taking 21 wickets in nine matches and playing a historic role in securing India’s second ODI World Cup title.
Typically, left-arm bowlers struggle against left-handed batsmen, but Zaheer often dismissed some of the greatest left-handed batsmen of his time, including Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Graeme Smith, and Matthew Hayden.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he took 102 wickets in 100 matches.
Zaheer announced his retirement from international cricket in October 2015. In 2020, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri award. Since retiring, he has been involved with IPL teams like the Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants in various roles. For IPL 2026, he has been appointed as the head coach of Chennai Super Kings, a move that has thrilled cricket fans.
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