Indian · Shrirampur, India · Born 7 October 1978Indian left-arm fast bowler who was a key member of India's 2011 Cricket World Cup winning team and took 311 Test wickets in 92 matches.
Zaheer Khan was born on 7 October 1978 in Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India. He made his ODI debut in 2000 and became India's finest left-arm fast bowler — and one of the greatest proponents of reverse swing in cricket history. He took 311 Test wickets in 92 Tests and 282 ODI wickets. He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2011 World Cup with 21 wickets and was India's most dependable seam bowler for over a decade. He formed a superb bowling partnership with Harbhajan Singh. He retired from international cricket in 2014.
Leading India's bowling attack in their 2011 Cricket World Cup victory, finishing as the tournament's joint-highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets
He was the leading wicket-taker at the 2011 Cricket World Cup — the tournament India won — taking 21 wickets.
Did You Know?How They Played
Zaheer Khan was a skillful left-arm fast-medium bowler who relied on swing and seam movement rather than raw pace. He possessed an excellent outswinger to right-handed batsmen and could reverse swing the old ball effectively. His accuracy, ability to bowl long spells, and tactical awareness made him India's go-to bowler in crucial situations.
Lasting Impact
Zaheer Khan transformed India's pace bowling attack and proved that Indian fast bowlers could succeed in all conditions worldwide. He inspired a generation of Indian pace bowlers and showed that skill and intelligence could be as effective as express pace.
Career Honours
- Cricket World Cup 2011
| Club | Period | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 2014–2015 | 56 | 51 |
| Mumbai | 1995–2015 | 91 | 392 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2008–2010 | — | — |
| Delhi Daredevils | 2012–2013 | — | — |
Indian Athletes