Having A Left-Arm Pacer Is A Luxury, Which Indian Team Is Missing Right Now: Zaheer Khan

Indian fast bowling legend Zaheer Khan has opined that the current Indian team pace bowling attack while being excellent and top-notch, is missing the variation of a left-arm pace bowler, the inclusion of whom can do wonders for the already impressive Team India.

There used to be a time in the Indian team when they fielded an all-left-arm pace attack comprising of bowlers such as Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, RP Singh, and Irfan Pathan amongst others. A left-arm fast bowler is always a big asset in any team’s pace battery. However, in current times, the Indian team, despite trying many different options, has not been able to find a proper left-arm pacer to bring variety to their attack.

There Are Plenty Of Good Talents In The Circuit: Zaheer Khan

India has tried many left-arm pacers over the years to replace the likes of Zaheer, Nehra, RP Singh, and Irfan, trying out the likes of Jayden Unadkat, Khaleel Ahmed, Barinder Sran and Chetan Sakariya, and T Natarajan, but none have been able to hold onto their places for a long time.

T Natarajan, who had a surprise debut in Australia in all three formats, showed hopes of becoming a permanent member of the Indian team as the left-arm pacer, succumbed to his knee injuries and has been currently rehabbing to get back into action, having missed considerable time in the middle.

“There are plenty of good talents in the circuit. It is just about the timing. Maybe the wait is a little longer (laughs). If you have that kind of option (left-arm pace), it’s a luxury. But you need to get someone ready to play at the highest level,” Zaheer further TimesofIndia.com.

“If the current bowlers are performing well, then the others will have to wait for their turn and put up the performances to push the bowlers who are playing,” Zaheer further added.

Zaheer Khan, considered to be one of the greatest pacers India has ever produced, played 92 Tests, picking 311 wickets, 200 ODIs picking 282 wickets and 17 T20Is picking 17 wickets. He was part of India’s 2011 World cup winning team and was the joint-most wicket-taker in the tournament.

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