Ex-India pace ace Zaheer Khan feels the England bowler is at a stage in his career where he will need help from pitches to succeed in five-Test series
James Anderson
James Anderson has a lot of mutual respect for Zaheer Khan after the former India pacer unintentionally showed the England pace ace the art of hiding the ball. England’s fast bowling veteran James Anderson ignited the mind games when he recently said that India skipper Virat Kohli would be desperate to score in the forthcoming five-Test series against England, starting August 1.
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However, Zaheer believes Anderson will struggle to hold his own in the team if the English conditions don’t favour him. Excerpts from a chat with the former left-arm quick, who was part of the Indian team on their 2002, 2007 and 2011 Test tours to England. Zaheer famously guided India to a sizzling win at Trent Bridge which helped Rahul Dravid’s team clinch a series win in 2007.
How do you view the upcoming five-Test series?
A five-Test series is never going to be easy for any team and that goes for England as well despite being the home team. It has been one of the hottest summers, so that should work in India’s favour. The conditions are going to be dry and we saw that during the T20 and ODI series where there was some assistance for the spinners. Over the years, we have seen in England that when the sun is out, the batsmen will have a field day. These kind of series calls for a lot of mental strength and the group has to stay together.
Zaheer Khan
Anderson said that Virat Kohli is desperate to perform in England. Do you think the mind games have well and truly begun?
It is interesting and required too as it makes the game fascinating. I think Anderson is also at a stage in his career where he will need help from the pitches. So, if the wickets which are offered are helpful, you will see him continue to talk [laughs]. But if they are not helpful for seaming conditions, then you might see England debating whether he should play or not after two Tests.
Will India miss having a left-arm pacer?
A left-arm pacer always gives you that variety. Also, the angle created by them is usually difficult. The second important thing is the footmarks which are created by them usually comes in very handy for the off-spinners to exploit.
You have mentored and captained Mohammed Shami at Delhi Daredevils. How crucial will this series be for him?
He is a great talent. He has natural instinct as a bowler, has a great seam position and his run-up is pretty smooth. So, he has got everything that you need as a bowler. I guess playing at the highest level and representing your country is the biggest motivation one can possibly have.
What are your views on the YoYo test?
There are various kinds of tests, but the bottomline is that this is just a reference point of knowing where an individual stands when it comes to fitness. Right now, they have gone with the YoYo test, but it need not be the only test that determines fitness. If you are restricted with some kind of a niggle, you can have a comparative test for an individual which I am sure they would be following.
Do you feel a lot of talented cricketers will miss out as there is only one opportunity to pass the YoYo test?
I feel it’s a great thing as long as the parameters are constant and applied to each and every individual, no matter what record you have. It is certainly going to help the team raise the bar when it comes to fitness. It is going to empower every individual to pay more attention on making sure that he is fulfilling that (fitness) criteria. It is important to take care of yourself during the off season. These things are decided as a group, so I am sure there must have been enough discussion before implementing this.
How has the on-field experience helped you with your entrepreneurial ventures?
I call myself an accidental entrepreneur as my journey began like that. When I started my first venture in 2005, I wanted something that I could fall back on. It was a phase where I was struggling with injuries. I was looking for something to switch off and conceptualising was something I was good at.
After restaurants, you started a fitness chain...
Yes. ProSport is something that has been my passion. We believe in giving solutions which are scientific.
Also Read: India has strong bench strength in pace bowling, says Zaheer Khan
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