Published: Jun 16, 2016, 01:55 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 16, 2016, 03:54 PM (IST)
Imran Tahir has been undoubtedly the best spinner for South Africa have had in recent times. The leg spinner is the fastest South African to take 100 wickets in ODIs (in 58 matches). Despite making his debut at an age of 31 years 328 days he rose to the ocassion and build a name for himself by taking four wickets against West Indies at Delhi. The Pakistan-born spinner is the answer to South Africa’s drought of spinners. Tahir is also referred to a googly bowler as he decieves the batsman into playing the shot as if it is his stock delivery and in the process trapping them in front of the wicket or hitting the timber. His story is an inspirational roller-coaster ride. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: West Indies vs South Africa, 6th ODI Match
He was called up for England’s tour of South Africa in 2010 but denied a place in the side because of citizenship issues. He came back in the side in 2011 and proved himself in ODIs. He had a bad run in South Africa’s tour of Australia in 2012 where he remained wicket-less after giving 260 runs (which is also a record). That costed him a place in the side only to return in 2013 for U.A.E tour. He was in and out for the side for a while trying hard to gain a permanent spot in the side. ALSO READ: BREAKING: Imran Tahir goes missing for hours following 7-wicket haul vs West Indies in Tri-Nation ODI Series 2016!
Tahir is the quickest bowler to reach 100 wickets in ODI (58 matches) for South Africa and fourth overall and the only leg spinner in Top Five. He has the best strike rate among South African bowlers and only bowling average only second to Allan Donald (qualification— at least 50 wickets). He is getting better with the toll of time despite being 37 years old. He looks good both on paper and the field. ALSO READ: Tahir becomes fastest to 100 ODI wickets for SA
Tahir is famous for his animated celebrations, running across the field beating his chest and throwing his hands in the air. He has been the pick of the trolls for his celebrations but there is no denying that the bowler plays his heart out on the field. His celebrations were a common sight in the match against West Indies as he wrapped things up for South Africa winning the match by a margin of 139 runs.
Tahir runs in hard and towards the popping crease before releasing the ball. He is a decent turner of the ball for a leg spinner. His googly is hard to pick for batsman as they end up miscuing the shot or the ball going through the batsman shattering the wickets. The classic example of the use of googly was seen against Suresh Raina when he decided to hit him with the spin expecting it will be his stock delivery. He slogged the ball for a maximum but instead found AB de Villiers at long-on position. The most recent example being Carlos Brathwaite who had wasn’t able to read where the ball is going to spin and the ball went straight through the gate. He was as clueless as Ben Stokes in the final over of T20 World Cup 2016 completely bamboozled by Tahir’s delivery.
Tahir maybe old but he can still go for three or more years. His fitness level and dedication on the field is commendable. He is not only a good bowler but an agile fielder too, throwing himself at the ball and aiming at back on the wickets regularly.
He has been leading the South African spin attack after Botha for a long time now. He has the backing of Aaron Phangiso and Chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi now. This was also the first time South Africa has picked up 9 wickets in an ODI with the help of spinners.
Tahir’s best bowling effort got South Africa the bonus point they wanted to No.1 spot on the Points Table giving them a chance to reach the finals of Tri-Nation series. On the top of it St Kitts is a batting paradise proved by Hashim Amla (110), Quinton de Kock (71) and Faf Du Plessis (73) in the first innings. This is the reason why his bowling effort has been given so much importance as he thrashed West Indies batting line up into bits and pieces after Shamsi drew first blood.
It seems like South Africa’s spin bowling woes have been put to an end for at least a couple of years with Tahir in the side.
(Arun Rawal, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a daydreamer, movie buff, and cricket fanatic. He could not play cricket, so did the next best thing, writing for it. He loves to play the flick shot over square leg, and believes Sachin Tendulkar is God. His twitter handle is @ArunRawal93)
