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ShareThe dead as a dodo wicket rolled out for the first Test in Ahmedabad would have left Zaheer Khan, like all other bowlers, fatigued. However, with two more matches to go in this Test series, a lot will be expected from the left-arm paceman -- the most experienced in the line-up.
Zaheer played his first international game (Ahmedabad Test) after almost five months. He was out with a shoulder injury that required a surgery. He played two Ranji Trophy games for Mumbai in the run-up to the first Test of this series.
The responsibility of leading the attack falls on Zaheer, more so on the seamer unfriendly pitches. Zaheer has, in the past, played mentor to the younger bowlers. Now, without a bowling coach, the onus will be on him to inspire the others and lead the attack as well.
Ishant looks like an overworked donkey, Munaf Patel hasn't been deemed good enough by the selectors to play Tests, while Ashish Nehra didn't make the cut. Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, part of the Test squad, can blow hot and cold.
Former India pacer Manoj Prabhakar believes that Zaheer Khan was rushed back into
Test cricket too soon. "He's an A-grade bowler and a match winner but he's not at his best. He's bowling at around 126-132 kph at a time when 140 kph is the norm. Don't we have other pacers? What are the selectors doing?" Prabhakar asked.
He goes on to add that Zaheer's aggression was missing in the first Test. "I could make out after the first over that he was not match-fit. The jump, the run-up and the aggression was not up to the mark. Where was the reverse swing? Where was the penetration? You should not lie to yourself. Zaheer's body needs rest. I feel he's made an earlycomeback."
Another former India pacer, TA Sekar, is, however, more hopeful. "Zaheer is an experienced seamer. He just needs a few matches under his belt. When asked if Zaheer looked match-fit, he said, "Just give him some time and he'll be back at his best," Sekar said. However, in this three-Test series, Zaheer will have to be back to his best at the earliest.
When told that Zaheer did well (10 wickets) in the two Ranji Trophy games he played for Mumbai, Prabhakar shot back, "Even I can bowl and get wickets in Ranji. It's not a big deal. Test cricket is at a different level." Prabhakar, who played 39 Tests and picked up 96 wickets, also says that India have no chance to win the series with this attack.
Prabhakar, however, wants Sreesanth in the playing XI in Kanpur. "He's the only fit guy now. He's young and fresh and can bowl fast. Drop Ishant and get Sreesanth. Ishant needs a break. Thak gaya hai woh (He's tired). He's not the bowler he was. Where is his pace?"
