South Africa vs India 2013-14: 5 reasons why Zaheer Khan is indispensable for the Test series

Zaheer Khan

In the upcoming Test series beginning tomorrow, Zaheer Khan will play a vital role. This 35-year old left arm medium pacer will be the lead bowler as far as the Indian bowling attack is concerned. He also happens to be the senior most player in the Indian squad in South Africa.

So far he has played 88 Tests and has taken 295 wickets with a reasonable average of 32.35. In his last Ranji Trophy match, while playing for Mumbai, he had taken 5 wickets for just 88 runs against Delhi.

Here are the five points which make him indispensable —

1) Experience

Zaheer Khan is a very experienced player who has already taken 23 wickets against South Africa at an average of 32.52. Experience of their conditions will surely help him in striking again. He knows what length to bowl at what stage of the innings

2) Control

He has got a good speed of around 130-135 kmph. But more importantly, he has got tremendous control over his line and length. This will definitely assist him while bowling to the South African batsmen

3) Help from bouncy tracks

Keeping in view his style of bowling, it is apprehended that he will get ample support from the bouncy pitches of South Africa. He can exploit the humidity in the air to extract swing

4) Zeal and determination to perform

His obsession to deliver is par excellence. In July 2013, he went to France to attend a training camp under the able guidance of famous trainer Tim Exeter, along with his friend Yuvraj Singh. He has shed the extra fat and is much slimmer. He appears fully fit with sufficient energy and strength to undergo long bowling spells

5) The power of reverse swing

In an interview published in prestigious The Hindu newspaper, veteran Anil Kumble has opined that Zaheer Khan might be able to take advantage of reverse swing in South Africa. Kumble emphasized that all Zaheer has got to do is to maintain his speed and wisely utilize his energy and strength. Zaheer has displayed his ability to reverse swing the ball many times.

Apart from these direct advantages of having Zaheer as a lead bowler, he will be contributing in an invaluable manner – by the way of guiding the young bowlers. This will be a chance of a life time for our young and aspiring bowlers. This will not only infuse confidence to do well in the current series but for the future, this exposure will be a treasure. Tons of good wishes.