IPL 2015: Zaheer Khan says planning must be perfect against MS Dhoni

Zaheer Khan picked up two wickets, bowled one maiden over and gave away only nine runs from his four overs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 match at Raipur on Tuesday. His bowling performance not only helped Delhi Daredevils (DD) restrict Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a target which the Delhi batsmen were easily able to chase down. Zaheer was adjudged the Man of the Match. Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings IPL 2015 Match 49 at Raipur: Highlights

Speaking about dismissing MS Dhoni with the first ball in the death overs, Zaheer said, “That’s the way the game goes. He is a very good batsman especially in the death overs; so you’ve just got to have a clear plan against him. Some days it works for you some days it doesn’t. Today was one of those days when it worked for me.” Shreyas Iyer leads Delhi Daredevils to 6-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings

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“The wicket was a bit on the slower side, so the variations came in to play. And once I hit my rhythm and the line and length was good, it was easier to play with the field setting also. That’s what I guess worked for me today,” Zaheer was quoted as saying by IPL’s official website.

Shahbaz Nadeem and Zaheer provided an excellent start as they were able to handle an in-form Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith. Indian Premier League 2015 schedule: IPL 8 match time table with venue details

“Nadeem obviously is a very good spinner and he bowls well with the new ball, so we didn’t really have a chat. Spin in not my strength. I was just focusing on my bowling today and yes, when you have Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith coming at you hard, it is not easy. They have been very consistent and have been giving CSK good starts. So it was a good challenge and I enjoyed it today.” IPL 2015: CSK, KKR, RCB, KXIP, MI, RR, SRH, DD full team details in IPL 8

“Cricket is all about that. As a bowler you’ve got to enjoy that challenge of bowling to the best and getting the best out; that’s what gives you satisfaction. It’s important to keep enjoying the game.” IPL 2015 Points Table & Team Standings: Chennai Super Kings lead the table in IPL 8

Speaking about mentoring young bowlers in DD, Zaheer said, “That is something which has come very naturally to me. When I had started playing I used to go up to senior bowlers and ask them (and learn) through their experiences. When people who have already played at the highest level share their experiences with you it always goes a long way. And it is something which I have been trying to continue. Whenever I feel that something can be added to someone’s armoury or if I can help someone with some advice I do that. It is up to an individual to take it if it works.”

Young Gurinder Sandhu bowled the last over of CSK’s innings. Zaheer was seen speaking to Sandhu and the young Australian went on to give away only five runs in the final over. READ: Orange cap holder in IPL 2015

“Basically, in the last over especially, since two left-handed batsmen were batting and they were looking to give themselves room, I basically was insisting on him coming round the wicket. That was the plan.” READ: Purple cap holder in IPL 2015

“As a bowler you understand most of it. Every individual has got a plan against particular batsmen. With my experiences, if I can add to that plan, if they buy into it and it works, it’s always good for them and good for the team as well.” READ: Most dangerous batsmen in IPL

“It has always been a contest between the bat and the ball and will always be. You have to look at it as a challenge and enjoy the challenge.”

Zaheer does not believe that Twenty20 (T20) is difficult for bowlers and the said that they have to be innovative to stay on top. IPL 2015 most catches by fielders: List of best fielders in IPL 8

“Not really. As a bowler you always have to stay on top of the game. You always have to be innovative. Batters are looking to be innovative, so are the bowlers and that’s the way the game is evolving. So I think this is just the process which goes on.”

On his comeback, Zaheer said that it is the self-belief which helped him.

“I had to be patient. I had to keep believing in myself that I can make a comeback. Obviously it is frustrating at times when it takes longer than normal, and in my case it took almost about a year for me to comeback. But I always had faith in my abilities and I just kept believing that and I kept working.”

“I am just happy to be back on the field. Obviously there were a lot of doubts earlier when I was away from the game for so long, but I am glad the way I have responded. I am glad that I am back on the field and things will get better and better.”

“The plan is to keep working on my fitness and keep adding things (to my bowling), get into the practice mode and see where things go,” he concluded.