Rahul Dravid finds Zaheer Khan’s career at risk after a dissapointing tour of New Zealand. Although Zaheer has proved his betterment in the last two test series but the exertion has clearly showed in his bowling on the 2nd innings of the last test match again New Zealand. He bowled for 51 overs but was only able to manage only 5 wickets in Wellington test which clearly showed his strain.
“Can he survive five Test matches in England? I am not so sure,” Dravid told ESPNcricinfo. “I think it is a question he deeply needs to ask himself. He doesn’t want to end up being someone who struggles his way through to the end. It can be really hard. And we have seen, he struggled to back up time and time again in these two series. So that’s an issue he needs to consider, Indian selectors need to consider.”
Zaheer Khan is considered as the second best bowler in India after Kapil Dev. He has the record of taking 311 wickets in 92 tests. But he has been captured with injuries through out his career for which his performance has shown many ups and downs. He spent the last summer at France for improving his fitness and health and has shown a notable betterment in his bowling in South Africa and New Zealand series after one year he played his last test match. But this is not up to his actual level. He gave 438 runs against only one wicket in 38 overs in South Affrica vs India Test match series.
“He has been a great bowler for India, arguably the finest India fast bowler since Kapil Dev,” Dravid said. “I would hate to see Zaheer Khan end his career bowling 120-125 kph and limp away from international cricket. He has done a great job to get himself fit for these two series and to be fair, he has bowled well in patches.”
When Dravid was asked about the spinners his reaction is something like BCCI and the selectors should show more patience with the spinners. There are many great spinners like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh India has produced in the recent past. Showing patient on R Jadega, R Ashwin will be definitely prove to be more fruitful for team India.
“I thought we were a little bit impatient with Ashwin. We haven’t given him as much a run as I would like, so I think there is an opportunity for him to get back into the side and play a few more games. He will only learn if he play more games.” he finished.