Zaheer Khan makes a comeback

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Barring Ishant Sharma’s inclusion in the Indian team against South Africa, there aren’t many baffling selections or non-selections. Some may argue that Gautam Gambhir is unlucky not to get picked in this team. But to make a comeback to Team India, he needs to score a few more runs in the ongoing Ranji season. Apart from these two, the most talked about selection is that of Zaheer Khan. 

In Indian cricket the term rested is abused. In fact, it is a diplomatic tactic to state that a player is dropped. With Zaheer Khan though, that was not the case. While some may argue that his bowling form during the India-England series at home led to his exclusion from the team, it was merely the trigger. For selectors, it was evident that Zaheer needed a serious rework on his fitness. And it was clear that unless he does that, he won’t get picked. Thankfully, Zaheer was not thinking in any different direction. 

Hence, alongside him his trip to France to improve fitness levels was looked at with hope by fans and selectors. From selectors’ viewpoint, Zaheer’s fitness was a bigger concern than his form. And hence his selection for the tour of South Africa once again highlights how a fit Zaheer Khan is too difficult to ignore. Considering the current selection committee favours youth, Zaheer’s comeback is even more special. 

Additionally, the Indian bowling attack is relatively inexperienced. Agreed that Shami Mohammad has done well in his 2 Tests and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, although failing to pick too many wickets, he has been successful in not conceding too many runs at the beginning of an inning. But these two along with fit Umesh Yadav lack Test match experience and don’t have too many ODIs like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma under their belts. 

If compared with Shami, Umesh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma is rich in experience. But even after playing 51 Tests, his growth as a bowler is not praiseworthy. There was a time when he was looked at as the spearhead of the Indian pace attack but his progress curve is more pleasing for batsmen across the world.  So, his place in the final XI during the Test series in South Africa is not guaranteed. 

Zaheer’s presence in this scenario shall be a relief for Dhoni and team management. For one, his skills may propel India with a Test series win in South Africa and present the other Indian pace bowlers with a chance to learn more about bowling. Additionally, Zaheer has a superb record playing against South Africa in South Africa. Hence, having Zaheer in the team will make Dhoni’s and fellow bowlers’ lives easier. 

While Zaheer’s selection and its impacts on Indian team would be positive, one must not forget that Zaheer’s selection is as much to do with him being fit as it is with Ishant’s failure to become India’s pace bowling spearhead. Zaheer is 35 now. Even if his body cooperates with him, he is unlikely to continue for too long. This makes it very clear that Zaheer getting picked is a stopgap arrangement. So, while Dhoni and co. hopes that Ishant finally comes of age, Indian pacers must make sure they learn as much as they can from Zaheer Khan. 

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