Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan feels that in T20, cricketers should be considered differently from the other format of international cricket.
One of the greatest Indian pacer of all-time said, “I think it has to go format wise. T20 format is hugely different from ODI format and so is ODI different from Test matches. I think when you judge players in T20 format, it should be based only on T20 performances.”
Zaheer believes that every bowlers should be treated differently in different formats. Zaheer stated, “In terms of higher level selection, it all depends what kind of series we are playing. If it’s a Test series we have to look at bowlers differently. It is completely different bowling four overs in T20 to bowling 18 overs a day in Test match scenario and looking to get wickets.”
Zaheer Khan has announced retirement from the international cricket in the late 2015 while IPL 2016 will be his final IPL season. He will represent Delhi Daredevils (DD) in his last IPL season.
Zaheer Khan admitted that Ashish Nehra’s recent comeback in the Indian squad at the age of 37-years, has motivated him to keep training continue. However, Zaheer is not thinking any more to break his retirement from the international cricket.
Zaheer said, “I am very happy with my decision and I am sticking to that. I am very happy to see Ashish Nehra do well. In fact, he has motivated me quite a lot to get back to training. I was very clear about walking away from international cricket. I am just happy to play this form of cricket. You kind of give it back while guiding the youngsters. This is something that I enjoy.”
Zaheer also spoke about his mindset for the upcoming IPL. He said smilingly, “I am not going to promise anything. I will focus on the ‘delivery’, just hit the right area and things should take care of itself.”
When Zaheer was asked about his role as a captain as well as a bowling coach for DD in this year’s IPL, he replied, “It’s pretty much simple, what I do on the field. Nothing is going to change. It’s just about managing a bigger group of players. In international teams, you pick 15 players and in IPL you have a bigger group of 24 players. It also reflects on travelling. It is a big group and we would be looking forward towards enjoying the journey. Hope this energy translates into performance young energy. We should perform like true Daredevils.”
The former Indian left-arm pacer expects a good journey for DD in the IPL 2016 along with new “mentor” Rahul Dravid. Zaheer Khan said, “It’s a great responsibility and a great challenge I would say, something to look forward to. Squad is full of youngsters. My opportunity top give back to the game. Rahul (Dravid) also looks at it in the same fashion. He has worked with U-19 boys and enjoys the responsibility connected to cricket. Important that we transform everything on the field.”.