OTD| Star India pacer Zaheer Khan was born in 1978

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has turned 45 years old. Born in 1978, he started his cricket journey when he moved to Mumbai. At that point, he used to live in a hospital where his father’s aunt used to work. Sudhir Naik, a veteran coach in the Indian cricket, spotted his talent and trained him in his early days. Not to forget, Khan often missed his breakfast but that never impacted his pace.

Fast forward to Champions Trophy 2000 (formerly knockout trophy), the left-arm pacer got to play for the Men In Blue. At the time, the Asian side, like some other teams, was reeling under the match-fixing investigations. However, during the tournament, they faced the then ODI World Cup holders, Australia in a quaterfinal to begin their tournament. 

In that game, the eventual finalists won by a small margin and a star in the pace bowling was born. His at-pace full strength delivery to Steve Waugh made the headlines. On the other hand, Javagal Srinath was on his way out of the game, looking at the hindsight. Meanwhile, since the 2000 knockout trophy, their was no looking back even though New Zealand won the final from a losing situation against India.

Three years later, when Srinath bid adieu to the game, Khan took over. Both did well for the team in the 2003 World Cup apart from that bad day in the final against Australia. The Mumbai lad had a lot of injury trouble but that didn’t hamper him playing all forms of the game with utmost.

However, one assignment that he might rue missing is the T20 World Cup 2007 which India won. Had he not rested like his senior players, he might have had another WC medal. However, three and a half years later, in April 2011, the 45-year-old became an ODI World Cup winner and after playing three edition, he finally tasted success with his team mates. 

Six years back, he bid adieu to the game, having last played for India in 2014. One can only wonder what if he could play another one in 2015. These days, he has been working as the director of cricket for the Mumbai Indians franchise.