Zaheer Khan versus Andrew Strauss, a battle that will set the tone for the rest of the series, was the most talked about duel at India?s first press conference in England on July 14. Khan has done it against Strauss in the past, four dismissals in 2007 leading India to a series win in the process. He has done it against the South African skipper Graeme Smith as well.
His away going delivery taking the left hander?s edge or the ball coming in to the left hander and getting his leg plum in front of the stumps, Khan has a penchant for picking up the opposing captain?s wicket and giving India a psychological edge. His return into the mix after the West Indies series means India has its leader back, one who is at the top of his game in the Test match arena.
Khan has a swagger about him. A little tuft of hair sticking out at the back of his head?his trademark?he looks the leader India has come to depend on over the years. Just when the chips are down does Khan come up with something special to get India back into the match. South Africa 200 for 1 and going strong at the Eden Gardens in February 2010. An amazing Khan spell and the Proteas were all out for 262 giving India the opportunity to push for a series leveler. With Ishant Sharma back in form, the Khan-Sharma combination is expected to be as lethal as Anderson and Tremlett at Lords.
More than anything, Zaheer Khan?s presence in the middle is a comforting feeling. It tells you that a wicket is never too far away and that one bad session is not necessarily the end for India. Khan can always marshal a comeback and his trademark celebration with both hands up in the air and a carnal scream to go with it is enough to inspire his bowling mates to put in that extra effort. He knows the virtues of being patient, the importance of being sincere all through a Test match and the art of being persistent. He won?t back down in front of aggression and won?t concede an inch if it comes to intensity. He is just the perfect person for a high intensity series that will perhaps decide the fight for the mantle of the world?s best Test side.
A well educated and soft spoken person, Khan had come to Mumbai to become an engineer. Cricket, for him, happened by accident. And it is this well educated background that stands him in good stead at times of adversity. He knows how difficult it is to get to the top and remembers his way up there well. It also means he has a level head on his shoulders and never takes things for granted. And for the team the presence of their champion bowler means the others can rally round him and bowl more freely, without letting the pressure of the series get to them.
Though his average per wicket is more than Srinath?s, there?s little doubt that Khan is India?s best fast bowling option after Kapil Dev. It can even be said that he is the best old ball bowler India has ever had. It is his ability to reverse swing the ball that has won many a match for India in the last three years and has given the attack the much needed extra teeth.
The only worry with Khan is his fitness. Here again, however, his level-headedness comes to the fore. Knowing fully well that he isn?t the fittest around, he does not bowl all balls with the same intensity or effort. Only a couple of effort balls per over, Khan has perfected the art of keeping himself fresh for longish spells if need be.
Zaheer Khan was the man of the series when India beat England in a closely contested Test series in 2007. With both sides having improved over the last four years, India will once again depend on a Khan special for an encore in 2011. In fact, it can be suggested that an Indian win will much depend on Khan and his ability to dent the English top order, especially the Strauss-Cook combination. The anticipation, with each passing day, is growing and as Harsha Bhogle has correctly called it ?it is surely going to be a series worth the wait.?
The writer is a sports historian