Since his return to the team after injury problems early on in his international career, Zaheer Khan has become a vital cog in the Indian bowling wheel, matching aggressive consistency with wicket-taking ability. He spoke to Senior Contributing Correspondent Ashish Magotra on the eve of India's first match of the World Cup in Paarl. Excerpts:
After the England tour, there as been a steady improvement rise in your performance. Do you attribute this to anything in particular?
Not really. Ever since the West Indies tour, things have been going very well for me. I have been working very hard with the trainer (Adrian le Roux) and that has been working well for me. My fitness levels have gone up and there has been a corresponding improvement in my performances on the field.
You were outstanding in the Tests on the recent New Zealand tour. But somehow you were not able to maintain the same levels of consistency in the one-dayers. Was that the result of overload?
Actually, I was very happy with the way I bowled in New Zealand -- both in the Tests and the one-dayers. The truth is, in the one-dayers, anything can happen and even the most outstanding bowler can be smashed to all parts of the park. To a bowler what matters in such a situation, is rhythm. And I was extremely happy with my overall rhythm in New Zealand.
Although Srinath is our most experienced bowler, you've emerged as our strike bowler, a bit like Glenn McGrath. Do you target any batsmen in particular, like McGrath does?
No. My entire focus while opening the bowling for India is to take early wickets. I don't pick out any individual batsmen.
Is the feeling that you underuse the short ball justified?
No I don't think so.
Have you added anything to your armoury for the World Cup?
I am bowling a lot and my rhythm is getting better. I am looking forward to the coming matches.