This was Zaheer Khan’s first ODI five-wicket haul (5/42) after seven years of international cricket. These days his rhythm is back, and most importantly, Sri Lankans had three left-handed batsmen among their top four. It is well known in cricket circles that when it is south-paw versus south paw, with Zaheer around, the winner inevitably is the one in the Blue corner. Ask Sourav Ganguly or Graeme Smith and they will readily vouch for it. While the Zaheer-induced trauma on these two batsmen has become a cricketing cliche, the left-arm pacer’s history of terrorising left-handed batsmen in general is thought-provoking. Zaheer’s ODI and Test bunnies are Alistair Campbell and Chris Gayle — both left-handers. Other prominent southpaws on this list and the times Zaheer has got them are as follow: ODIs — Adam Gilchrist (4), Graeme Smith (4), Gayle (3), Matthew Hayden (3); Tests — Justin Langer (4), Stephen Fleming (3). So what’s the secret of Zaheer’s left-handed compliments? As if a bit embarrassed about this left debate, he says: “Basically, I have my two main deliveries. The away-going ball and the in-cutter to the left-hander. Both trouble the left-hander. So I think I certainly have edge over them.” And the reason he has been able to guide these two type of deliveries with a remote control is his rhythm. “It all boils down to getting the rhythm, when you have control and things become a bit easy when you know can bowl exactly at the place you want to.” The in-coming new ball is said to be a batsman’s biggest challenge and since Zaheer’s stock ball to a left-hander is the one that darts in from off to middle, one gets a clue of about this mystery. The day started with Zaheer starting differently as a perfectly pitched away-going ball beat Upul Tharanga — just a hint of sunlight was seen between the bat and ball. The start of the second over was somewhat on expected lines — a slight variation to his stock ball. It pitched outside the off stump and climbed on to Sanath Jayasuriya, who spooned a catch at square leg where Sourav Ganguly defied age, general perception and even gravity. For his second wicket in the same over Zaheer didn’t need any such athletic adventure from the aging bodies around the stump as another sharp in-cutter trapped Tharanga plumb. Kumar Sangakkara was victim number No 3 — a less prodigious in-cutter reaching the stumps after brushing the bat toe. With Sri Lanka 6/3 and the three of the most free-flowing left-handers in the hut, a 200-plus kind of score remained on the cards. Zaheer’s 3-0-4-3 had made a difference. As a few right-handers followed and Zaheer’s stock ball became the one that moved away, wicket-taking wasn’t frequent. Russel Arnold, Lanka’s fourth southpaw, flourished in Zaheer’s absence to reach his 50. When Zaheer returned for his second spell, despite the death over and Arnold’s blazing form, he conceded just 3 runs from 9 balls to the left-hander. Zaheer’s left-alignment isn’t a common feature among left-handed pacers in international cricket. Wasim Akram’s top 10 Test bunnies were all right-handers. It’s a rare quality that can be vital in modern day cricket where coaches prefer a left-right combination to disturb a bowler’s line. Zaheer can put a spanner in their works. Zaheer KHANThe way he had been bowling of late, it was always expected of him to go and finish the job. And Zaheer Khan did precisely that with a five-for in an ODI — his first ever — to provide India the lifeline after they lost narrowly at Rajkot. The experienced Mumbaikar cleverly mixed his deliveries to send the Islanders on the backfoot straightaway. After taking three wickets in his first spell, he scalped two more in his next for the MoM award. The award may be the just reward for his perseverance and keeping the faith after having been dropped last year when his form took a tumble. He simply went back to the basics and regained confidence and form by playing in English county. And today, he is back where he belongs.
