There is enough left for me to achieve: Zaheer Khan

[Sidhoni]

SOURCE

MUMBAI: For a career that has had more injury breaks than the weekend blockbuster on television, it's remarkable to note the enthusiasm in Zaheer Khan's voice when he talks about the way forward. Zaheer is just back from France, where he, along with Yuvraj Singh, worked with a world-renowned trainer for six weeks to get back in shape. The pacer --who'll soon turn 35 -- is now headed to South Africa to work with a specialist on his fielding and bowling. Excerpts from an interview... What motivated you and Yuvraj to head to Metasport Athletic Performance Centre in France? We had researched for three or four months before zeroing in on this place. Most of the physiotherapists and trainers recommended that we go there. Basically my body needed some work, so rather than opting to play county cricket I decided to head to Brive-La-Gaillarde, where we trained hard for 42 days at a stretch. Was language and food a problem? It was a good experience. The idea was to take us out of our comfort zone. We chose not to stay at a hotel and instead stayed at an old couple's bed-and-breakfast place. It was a homely atmosphere and they took good care of us. What were the areas you looking to strengthen? Tim Exeter (trainer) is a running specialist and an expert in body mechanics. We learned new things in terms of exercise, food and diet and what we can change. The time we spent there taught us that in any situation of your career, you need to focus not only on skill set but also diet and fitness. There's a feeling that you should have done the same thing earlier? To do this kind of training you need time. This was a perfect window and opportunity. The first phase is over and in the second I will be focusing on my fielding and bowling. For that I am heading to South Africa for three weeks, where I will train under a specialist. Fortunately, I have some time on my hand before the domestic season starts. Under whom will you train in SA? I'm planning to go next month. I am in talks with a few of them but have not finalized anyone. What is on your mind after returning from France? I am feeling much fitter and stronger. I've lost seven kilos. I am excited and looking forward to the new domestic season. My next aim is to get match fit and bowl as much as I can, because I've always felt that the more I bowl, the better it is for me. It looks like the selectors have made up their minds to back youth over experience... Right now I am focused on getting my game and peak fitness. I need to keep bowling at my best. That is what is under my control. The rest is not in my hands. Last year you bowled a 13-over spell for Mumbai against MP. It was match winning spell but it cost you an entire season... I don't regret it. That is the way I've played my cricket. Once I wear the whites I give everything for my team. It was a crunch game for Mumbai and although I had a little niggle I chose to continue bowling and that gave us a win. Do you feel it is important for a team to have the right mix of seniors and juniors at the top level? The way I see it, there is healthy competition to get into the Indian team. I feel you need to pick the best team. It doesn't matter how many seniors or juniors there are in the playing XI. MS Dhoni says you are the Tendulkar of bowling. Jimmy Anderson has admitted that he's picked a few tricks from you. Do you think you achieved what you planned for? Not really. And that is why I decided to go on this schedule almost six months back. There is enough left for me to achieve. Fitness has been letting me down. I'm sure once I am back to my prime fitness and form I will be able to do wonders with my bowling and win many more matches for the country. You have been a part of the World Cup winning team and played an important role when the team was No. 1 in Tests...where do you see your career heading in the different formats of the game? Like I said, I still have a lot left in me. It is for this reason that I chose to move out of my comfort zone and do rigorous training to put my career back on track. It'll be one step at a time for me now. Zaheer Khan's Test Record Mt. Wkts. Ave. Best 5WI 10WM SR. ER. Home 38 104 35.87 5/72 3 - 70.2 3.06 Away 50 191 30.43 7/87 7 1 53.9 3.38 Total 88 295 32.35 7/87 10 1 59.7 3.25 Calendar Years 2011 3 13 23.15 4/77 - - 52.7 2.63 2012 8 15 49.26 3/122 - - 97.9 3.01 Last 10 Tests 10 24 36.95 4/77 - - 77.3 2.86 Home 5 7 56.00 2/59 - - 127.5 2.63 Away 5 17 29.11 4/77 - - 56.6 3.08

[maniac]

It is too risky to play him,after Lords 2011,He should retire from Cricket....We can't afford any such incidents again.

[msplash9]

It is too risky to play him' date='after Lords 2011,He should retire from Cricket....We can't afford any such incidents again.[/quote'] How many times has it happened ???????? Only once right ?

[SLICKR392]

How many times has it happened ???????? Only once right ?

And he lasted the whole Australian tour and England series until he was dropped.

[gattaca]

^^ The England series felt like he was not bowling full out. He was slow.

[gattaca]

We had researched for three or four months before zeroing in on this place. Most of the physiotherapists and trainers recommended that we go there. Basically my body needed some work, so rather than opting to play county cricket I decided to head to Brive-La-Gaillarde, where we trained hard for 42 days at a stretch.

Ok. If you play cricket don't you get fit.

[Vilander]

He wants it desperately, he want to go out on a high. He can do it..there is one final run in him..

[kumar713]

It is too risky to play him' date='after Lords 2011,He should retire from Cricket....We can't afford any such incidents again.[/quote'] Half fit zaheer can bowl better than Pisshant.ZAk looks certainly fitter.Should be given a chance.he will do well:cheer:

[bharat297]

If he's fit enough, I have no problem with him returning to the Test side. His experience would be quite valuable at times. I think he should give up ODIs. I think a bowling attack of Zaheer (fully fit), Bhuvaneshwar, Ashwin and Umesh in South Africa gives us our best chance of taking 20 wickets each innings.

[Debutant]

Best of luck to Zaheer :good:

[vvvslaxman]

Problem with him is he leaves us abruptly in the middle of a tour. Being the sole experienced bowler in the fast bowling department his absence proved very costly for us in England.

[G_B_]

well he will have the chance to prove himself in the ranji games.

[vvvslaxman]

well he will have the chance to prove himself in the ranji games.

If he returns to India after one test match or after first day of first test one more time we should say good bye to his career.

[G_B_]

yup.... i think even he knows his ODI and T20 international career is over. I feel regardless of selecting him for team India or not he will play in the domestics for 2-3 year to pick up good money in the ipl

[kumar713]

If he returns to India after one test match or after first day of first test one more time we should say good bye to his career.

He won't:pray:

[diga]

SOURCE I am feeling much fitter and stronger. I've lost seven kilos.

How did he put on seven kilos for a sportsman.. steroids or plain indiscipline?

[kumar713]

How did he put on seven kilos for a sportsman.. steroids or plain indiscipline?

:facepalm:

[Gunner]

He will retire with 300+ Test wickets.

[Temujin Khaghan]

all the best zak...

[vishalvirsingh]

If he's fit enough' date=' I have no problem with him returning to the Test side. His experience would be quite valuable at times. I think he should give up ODIs. I think a bowling attack of Zaheer (fully fit), Bhuvaneshwar, Ashwin and Umesh in South Africa gives us our best chance of taking 20 wickets each innings.[/quote'] we will surely win if ZAK Umesh BHUVi n ashwin play the test and all 5 days fully fit-....i am sure we wud win then.... but i know the attack to play wud be ashwin ishant umesh bhuvi- we still stand some chance.....