Zaheer Khan

Introduction

Zaheer Khan, a highly successful Indian pace bowler, had an illustrious career representing the Indian national team from 2000 to 2014. He gained recognition for his aggressive seam and pace bowling, possessing the remarkable skill to make the ball move in both directions off the pitch and generate swift swing with the old ball. His expertise in reverse swing played a crucial role in his finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the 2011 World Cup. Zaheer Khan's mastery of the art of bowling made him a formidable force on the cricket field.

Early Life

Zaheer Khan was born in October 1978 in Shrirampur, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India. He comes from an Islamic family, and his father, Bakhtiyar Khan, is a photographer, while his mother, Zakia Khan, is a teacher. Zaheer's upbringing in Maharashtra has influenced his life and career as a cricketer. He was raised in a family with two brothers, Zeeshan (the elder brother) and Anees (the younger brother). He received his education at Hind Seva Mandal's New Marathi Primary School and KJ Somaiyya Secondary School, both located in Shrirampur. The presence of his siblings enriched Zaheer's childhood, and his education played a crucial role in shaping his journey as a cricketer.

Wife

Zaheer Khan, the former Indian cricketer, tied the knot with Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge on November 23, 2017. They got engaged earlier that year, on April 24. Sagarika is not only a model but also plays the role of Preeti Sabarwal in the movie "Chak De India."

Career

In 1996, Khan moved to Mumbai and joined the National Cricket Club, which played in Division A. He showcased his skills in competitions like the Kanga Cricket League, Comrade Shield, and Purshottam Shield. One memorable instance was when he reverse swung a ball that had been bowled for 50 overs, taking ten maiden overs and helping his team win a Comrade Shield game. He also impressed with his batting, scoring an unbeaten 62 runs and forming a 102-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Khan's remarkable performances in the Purshottam Shield included a jaw-dropping 7/74 against Shivaji Park Gymkhana in January 1997. Impressed by his talent, he was sent to the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where he caught the attention of the bowling coach, T. A. Sekhar, who encouraged him to play for Baroda.

Khan gained recognition while playing for Baroda at the first-class level. In the final of the 2000-01 Ranji Trophy against Railways, he was awarded the man of the match for his impressive performance. Khan took 8 wickets for 145 runs in the match, including a five-wicket haul (5/16) in the second innings. His outstanding contribution helped Baroda win the trophy for the fifth time, ending a 43-year drought. Later, Khan joined Mumbai for the 2006-07 season and made his debut in the Ranji Trophy final, where he took 9 wickets to help Mumbai defeat Bengal.

In 2005, Khan joined Worcestershire County Cricket Club in England as one of their overseas players. On his debut, he took ten wickets against Somerset, becoming the first Worcestershire player in over 100 years to achieve this feat. In another match against Essex, he took the first nine wickets in the first innings, narrowly missing out on the chance to take all ten wickets.

Khan played for Royal Challengers and Mumbai Indians before joining Delhi Daredevils. He captained Daredevils in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, he became the 10th bowler and 8th Indian to take 100 wickets in IPL, making him the oldest player to achieve this.

Khan was chosen in 2000 for the inaugural batch of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. He played his 1st Test match against Bangladesh and his first ODI match against Kenya in the same year during the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy.

Khan shared the news of his retirement from international and first-class cricket on October 15, 2015, through a tweet. He expressed, "I say goodbye to my career in international cricket. Excited to end it with IPL 9."

In 2017, Zaheer Khan was appointed as a bowling consultant for the India national cricket team.

Controversy

During India's second Test against England at Trent Bridge in 2007, a controversy arose when the English players began tossing jelly beans near the batting crease while Zaheer was at bat. This made Zaheer quite upset, and he even got into a heated argument with Kevin Pietersen.

Facts about Zaheer Khan

• Zaheer Khan was a nightmare for left-handed batsmen, taking 237 wickets against them in Test matches. He is the 3rd highest wicket-taker against lefties in Test matches.
• Graeme Smith, the South African batsman, fell victim to Zaheer's bowling 13 times across all forms of international cricket.
• During a Test match against New Zealand in 2014, Ishant Sharma got upset with Zaheer for slow fielding on the boundary line.
• Zaheer Khan is a huge fan of Sachin Tendulkar and Roger Federer, just like you!
• He won the Wisden Player of the Year award in 2008.
• He was also awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2011.
• In his early cricket days, he had a fear of flying.
• Zaheer owns a restaurant called ZK's in Pune and a rehab and training center called ProSport Fitness & Services in Mumbai.
• He captained the Delhi Daredevils during IPL 9 in 2016.
• During a Test match in India against Pakistan, Zaheer Khan had a surprising encounter. A girl from the crowd actually proposed to him.

Conclusion

Zaheer Khan's incredible cricket journey, with his impressive bowling skills and notable achievements, established him as one of India's top fast bowlers. From his early days in Shrirampur to his crucial role in domestic victories, Zaheer's impact went beyond the field. His marriage to Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge added a personal touch to his story. After retiring, his coaching roles and business ventures showcase his diverse legacy. Zaheer Khan's contribution to Indian cricket is significant, making him a celebrated figure in the sport's history.