He was Sachin Tendulkar of Indian bowling, quit engineering career to become cricketer, not Anil Kumble, went on to win…

New Delhi: Zaheer Khan, who turned 46 yesterday, October 7, remains one of India’s finest fast bowlers, known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his knack for stepping up during critical moments. His versatility and leadership with the ball were crucial for India’s successes, especially in the 2011 World Cup triumph and the 2002/03 ICC Champions Trophy. As we celebrate his birthday, let’s revisit some of the key highlights from his illustrious career with Team India:

1. The 2011 World Cup heroics

Zaheer Khan was the backbone of Indian bowling, which blitzed it across in the 2011 World Cup. Playing at home, the ace pacer was at the top of the wicket-taker’s list with joint-highest wickets, going abreast with Pakistan’s all-rounder Shahid Afridi. With 21 wickets from nine matches, Zaheer has been a sustained source of strength for India throughout the event. His innings with the cricket ball went quite a way in India’s achievement and led eventually to India’s second World Cup victory.

2. India’s highest wicket taker 2002-03 Champions Trophy

One other defining moment in Zaheer Khan’s career occurred more than two decades ago at the 2002/03 Champions Trophy. The Indian pacer emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, grabbing eight wickets from five games, and this accolade was shared with Australia’s Glenn McGrath and Zimbabwe’s Douglas Hondo. His performances made a difference and ensured that India reached the final match, where the team was declared a joint winner with the hosts of the tournament, Sri Lanka. Zaheer’s starring role in Indian bowling, especially taking the respective wickets at the right time, was one of the factors for making Indian success in the tournament possible.

3. 133-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar

Zaheer Khan proved against Bangladesh in the first Test match in India in 2004 how seldom a fast bowler contributes with the bat, scoring 75 runs off 115 deliveries to add to India’s score in the first innings of 526 runs. Zaheer also partnered with Sachin Tendulkar in an innings that lasted long, adding 133 runs for the 10th wicket. This is not only the surprise exhibit of Zaheer’s batting but also a record-defying India’s highest 10th-wicket partnership in Test history – a record that endures to date.

4. Smashing four consecutive sixes vs Henry Olonga

Zaheer Khan came to India’s rescue with the bat once again during a thrilling ODI against Zimbabwe in 2000. In the third match of a five-match series, India found themselves in a precarious position at 258/8 with just a few deliveries left in the innings. In a stunning display of power hitting, Zaheer launched Zimbabwean bowler Henry Olonga for four consecutive sixes off the final four balls, propelling India to a competitive total. This remarkable feat not only showcased Zaheer’s unexpected batting ability but also added crucial runs to the scoreboard, turning the tide in India’s favor.

5. Five-wicket haul in last Test match

Zaheer Khan bid farewell to Test cricket in memorable fashion during a match against New Zealand in 2014. At the Basin Reserve in Wellington, he delivered a stellar performance, claiming a five-wicket haul against the Kiwis. Although his impressive efforts weren’t enough to secure a victory for India, as the match ended in a draw, Zaheer’s final appearance underscored his enduring skill and competitiveness. He concluded his Test career with a remarkable tally of 311 wickets, solidifying his legacy as one of India’s greatest fast bowlers.