Zaheer Khan’s comeback a short-term plan

By Nishad Pai Vaidya

Adding experience to a crop of young seamers, the Indian selectors have recalled Zaheer Khan. The left-armer hasn’t played a Test for India since the home series against England last year as there were huge questions over his form and fitness. The seasoned campaigner then headed to France for an intense fitness program and returned leaner and looked much fitter. With a relatively young and inexperienced Indian side ready to travel to South Africa, the 35-year-old Zaheer gets a call-up for the tough tour. But, how much does this help India in the long run?In 2006, Zaheer made a spectacular comeback on the tour to South Africa and there is a sense of déjà vu seven years later. Back then, he returned to the side after a grueling stint in county cricket. Not only did he get fitter, but his bowling had an added zing. Graeme Smith bore the brunt of Zaheer’s form as the South African captain was dismissed by the left-armer in almost every other game. However, today, Zaheer doesn’t have age on his side; he is 35 and doesn’t have many years of cricket left in him. Nevertheless, India needed that dependable and experienced option in the fast bowling department.

Zaheer’s inclusion may give the attack more variety. Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls at a military medium-pace and swings the ball. Mohammed Shami is pacier and gets copious movement to trouble the batsmen. The South African conditions should support Shami. Zaheer brings in the left-arm angle into the equation. In 2010, Zaheer missed the first Test at Centurion and India lost the game as they conceded a huge total. He returned for the second Test at Durban and helped India seal victory. He was like a guiding light for the young pacers and they looked a lot more confident in his presence.

Having said that, Indian cricket has seen a huge change in the last few months. Even until the series against England last year, Zaheer was seen as the dependable option, but once his poor run prolonged, the selectors took the tough call. He wasn’t even named in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 probables as India looked set to move on. During the recent home series, Shami showed good promise and bowled in conditions that weren’t ideal for fast-bowling. Yet, he was amongst the wickets and used reverse swing to get the better of the opposition. Plus, you had Bhuvneshwar, who is gradually cementing his spot. And then there was Umesh Yadav waiting in the wings.

Zaheer’s inclusion cannot be a long-term plan. India have a long road away from home in the next few months and the South African tour is India’s first overseas affair after the tour to Australia in 2012-13. Zaheer featured during that tour and had his moments during the Test series. Now that India are traveling to New Zealand and England in 2014, it is his experience that would matter. And, whatever success India have had there in the past, Zaheer has been a major factor. And that cannot be ignored, especially in team full of inexperienced juniors.