Chappell era was the most disappointing phase: Zaheer

New Delhi: If separated with the help of a centrifuge, Zaheer Khan’s career would show three distinct segments. And unlike most cricketers, the fast bowler’s life wouldn’t be divided chronologically, but according to his performances under each of the three foreign coaches that Team India have utilised thus far. Right on top of the life-sized test tube will float his glory era under South African Gary Kirsten – a time when the fast bowler led India to the 2011 World Cup with 21 wickets (joint highest in the quadrennial), and, of course, to the top of the Test rankings with countless victims.

Below the Kirsten demarcation lies his early days, a time of blossoming that coincided with New Zealand John Wright’s (India’s first foreign coach) regime. Having burst onto the scene with guile in 2000, an aggressive Zaheer flourished under the Kiwi through his first few years, going all the way to the final of the 2003 World Cup. But if Zaheer had then thought that his debacle of an opening over against the mighty Australians was the low point of his career, then he, like many others, were in the dark.

For right at the bottom of Zaheer’s otherwise prolific career are those days of terrible uncertainty, a time when he lost his way in dramatic fashion. A time when he, like several others, suffered at the hands of Australia’s Greg Chappell. In a freewheeling chat with Shekhar Gupta, the Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express, Zaheer explains just how gloomy the Chappell era (2005-2007) was, on NDTV’s Walk the Talk.

“It was as if you’ve been framed. It was like ‘we don’t want you in the team. It’s not about performance, we don’t like your attitude, you’re stopping the growth of cricket in the Indian team’. I felt it personally because I was dropped straight after the Sri Lanka tour, even though I had not performed badly,” Zaheer says. “I got about nine wickets for Asia XI and I was recalled for the next series. In that phase it was always a struggle. When you’re fighting within the team, when you have a war to fight in your own camp, it is always difficult to win,” the 32-year old adds. And win, they didn’t. Crumbling spectacularly in the 2007 World Cup with a first round defeat, Chappell’s tenure with the Indian team ended with a crescendo. But for the Indians, it was almost like the eclipse had passed, and the shadow lifted. Following immediate success in the inaugural World T20 in South Africa, Kirsten ‘s beacon of light illuminated Team India with unprecedented happiness.

“Gary has been an amazing coach. He is very balanced and has given everyone their space. He understood the Indian culture and how we like to do things. He took that step of coming closer to us rather than dictating. He was our friend, not a coach. That was a big help, “ Zaheer says.

Scaling the peaks with Kirsten, Zaheer re-infused the Indian team with vigour, injecting the side with vein fulls of self-belief. Having transformed into one of the greatest practitioners of the art of reverse swing, Zaheer is now seen as a bowler who empowers youngsters around him with constant advice, with nuggets of wisdom. such as: ‘The second innings of a Test match is where the real fun lies, and the time to win matches. Don’t be tired for it.’

“I don’t hold any secrets from them,” he says, smiling. But does he share trade secrets with fast bowlers from other teams as well, during the IPL? “I’ve been asked many times during conversations. I just tell them it is a team effort,” Zaheer adds, with tongue firmly in cheek.

With Kirsten’s mentor Duncan Fletcher having taken over the reins, Zaheer believes that India is destined for further glory, and one cannot rest on their laurels. When asked what will motivate him in the new era, Zaheer said: “Cricket gives me a high. The ultimate high.” As for the present, the centrifugal forces have no effect. And the result is a crystal clear concoction of triumph.