22 August,2014 06:36 PM IST | | PTI
Veteran seamer Zaheer Khan feels India would struggle to make an impact overseas unless the batsmen raised their game and notch up big scores consistently
New Delhi: Veteran seamer Zaheer Khan feels India would struggle to make an impact overseas unless the batsmen raised their game and notch up big scores consistently. India's woeful run of form away from home continued as they were blanked 3-1 by England in the recently-concluded Tests series, with two matches ending in less than three days.
Zaheer Khan
"I have always felt that if you score 350 runs in the first innings then you are always in the game. If you don't achieve that then you are always catching up with the game," Zaheer was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo'. "The success we had overseas in the past, the key was that we put the runs on the board. Then we won that battle, and then you went and got those wickets as well," he added.
Indications are that the left-arm swing bowler is not likely to play any part in the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 though he says his recovery is moving in the "right direction". The Champions League T20 is scheduled to be held from September 13-October 4 across various centres in India. "I have to just go with how my body is responding and the important thing is for me to play again, I have to bowl at my best. First I have to satisfy myself that I am there and that I can deliver. If I am able to live up to the stress and pressures of international cricket, I'll just take a call at that time."
Zaheer has played 92 Tests and 200 ODIs over a 14-year career. Zaheer had sustained a tendon injury in his bowling arm while playing for Mumbai Indians against Kings XI Punjab in the IPL on May 3 at the Wankhede stadium. Zaheer followed Indian seamers' performance in England and felt losing Ishant Sharma to injury after the Lord's Test win was a big setback.
"If someone is bowling well in a long series and is able to create a big impact, that's what we were missing. There are things you learn with experience. The whole bowling unit is very young. At this level it is important that you get into a good routine and manage yourself well."
