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 forty six the day previous to this, October 7, remains with out a doubt one of India’s finest fast bowlers, known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and his knack for stepping up at some point of extremely important moments. His versatility and leadership with the ball were important for India’s successes, especially contained within the 2011 World Cup triumph and the 2002/03 ICC Champions Trophy. As we celebrate his birthday, let’s revisit an excellent deal of essentially essentially the most important 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 contained within the 2011 World Cup. Playing at home, the ace pacer was at the pinnacle of the wicket-taker’s list with joint-best 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 at some point of the event. His innings with the cricket ball went quite a means in India’s achievement and led at last to India’s 2nd World Cup victory.

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

One other defining moment in Zaheer Khan’s career occurred more than twenty years ago at the 2002/03 Champions Trophy. The Indian pacer emerged because the 2nd-best wicket-taker contained within the tournament, grabbing eight wickets from 5 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 an appropriate time, was with out a doubt one of many most factors for making Indian success contained within the tournament which that you possibly can imagine.

three. 133-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar

Zaheer Khan proved against Bangladesh contained within the first Test match in India in 2004 how seldom a brief bowler contributes with the bat, scoring 75 runs off a hundred and fifteen deliveries to add to India’s score contained within the first innings of 526 runs. Zaheer also partnered with Sachin Tendulkar in an innings that lasted long, adding 133 runs for the tenth wicket. That cannot to any extent further best the surprise exhibit of Zaheer’s batting but additionally a record-defying India’s best tenth-wicket partnership in Test history – a record that endures to this point.

four. Smashing four consecutive sixes vs Henry Olonga

Zaheer Khan came to India’s rescue with the bat once more at some point of an exhilarating ODI against Zimbabwe in 2000. Within the 1/3 match of a 5-match series, India found themselves in a precarious position at 258/eight with only about a deliveries left contained within the innings. In 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 unprecedented feat now not best showcased Zaheer’s unexpected batting ability but additionally added important 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 at some point of a match against New Zealand in 2014. At the Basin Reserve in Wellington, he delivered a stellar performance, claiming a 5-wicket haul against the Kiwis. Though his impressive efforts weren’t enough to secure a victory for India, because the match led to a draw, Zaheer’s final appearance underscored his enduring skill and competitiveness. He concluded his Test career with a unprecedented tally of 311 wickets, solidifying his legacy as with out a doubt one of India’s greatest fast bowlers.