World Cup 2019: Most wickets in a single edition
IN PICS: Leading wicket-takers in World Cup history
These pictures confirm Zaheer Khan is dating 'Chak De' girl Sagarika Ghatge
100th Test between India and England, and 2000th overall
In a country starved of great fast bowlers, Zaheer Khan came as a breath of fresh air. Though not quite a tearaway, Zaheer was able to hurry batsmen with his pace. However, it was movement, both seam and swing of the conventional kind, that made him stand out. Zaheer's greatest allies are his canny cricketing brain and skills, but fitness has always remained a problem.
Zaheer's career can be separated in two parts; from his debut till 2006, and from 2007 onwards. The drastic difference can be credited to an extremely productive stint with Worcestershire, for whom he took 78 wickets at 29.07 with five five-wicket hauls — which included a 9 for 138 — and two 10-wicket hauls.
Looking leaner and hungrier than ever on comeback, it soon became evident that Zaheer had cut down a bit on pace but had added one vital aspect to his bowling: reverse swing. This second innings proved to be a blessing for India as well; they finally had a pace bowler who could bowl long spells as well as rip through batting line-ups.
An accurate representation of this sea-change could be seen in his performances in the two World Cup finals he played. Against Australia in 2003 his first over went for 15 and he conceded 67 in 7 overs. Against Sri Lanka in 2011, Zaheer bowled three maidens in his first four overs (he took a wicket as well), ending with 2 for 60 in 10 overs.
The undisputed leader of India's bowling attack — then-skipper MS Dhoni once went so far as to call Zaheer India's ‘bowling captain’ — Zaheer's death-bowling skills and ability to move the ball either way has resulted in many a batsman being made to look like novices. Sadly for India, Zaheer's fitness troubles persisted for much of his career; the image of him pulling up with a hamstring strain in the first session of a gruelling English tour is still vivid.
A lack of form and fitness means that Zaheer was overlooked for World Cup 2015, having played his last international match for India in February 2014. It seems unlikely Zaheer will get a third innings in international cricket, which is a sad end to the career of someone who carried India's pace bowling for years.
Shiamak Unwalla
Career | M | In | R | NO | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
Test | 92 | 127 | 1231 | 24 | 75 | 11.95 | 2381 | 51.70 | 0 | 3 | 141 | 28 | 19 | 0 |
ODIs | 200 | 101 | 792 | 35 | 34* | 12.00 | 1078 | 73.46 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 24 | 43 | 0 |
T20s | 17 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 9* | 6.500 | 10 | 130.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
World Cup | 23 | 11 | 52 | 2 | 15* | 5.777 | 70 | 74.28 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Career | M | B | R | W | Avg | EC | SR | 5WI | 10WM | BBI | BBM |
Test | 92 | 18785 | 10247 | 311 | 32.94 | 3.272 | 60. | 11 | 1 | 7/87 | 10/149 |
ODIs | 200 | 10097 | 8301 | 282 | 29.43 | 4.932 | 35.80 | 1 | 0 | 5/29 | 5/42 |
T20s | 17 | 352 | 448 | 17 | 26.35 | 7.636 | 20.70 | 0 | 0 | 4/17 | 4/17 |
World Cup | 23 | 1193 | 890 | 44 | 20.22 | 4.476 | 27.11 | 0 | -- | 4/42 | 5/42 |
Test Debut
Bangladesh v India at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, November 10, 2000
Last Test
New Zealand v India at Basin Reserve, Wellington, February 14, 2014
ODI Debut
Kenya v India at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi, October 3, 2000
Last ODI
Sri Lanka v India at Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, August 4, 2012
T20 Debut
South Africa v India at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, December 1, 2006
Last T20
India v South Africa at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, October 2, 2012
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A look at some of the stats highlights for India at the World Cup since its inception in 1975.
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Man to man, the current Indian pace attack has claimed a collective 606 Test wickets.
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Netherlands vs Pakistan - 1st ODI
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Ireland beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets