‘I WILL ALWAYS BE CONNECTED TO THE GAME’
ExIndia pacer Zaheer Khan says at some stage in his life, he may take up coaching; adds Harbhajan Singh was possibly the biggest prankster in the earlier team
It’s been almost three years since he retired from international cricket but former cricketer Zaheer Khan admits that his eyes still light up when he spots a swinging ball. “Yes, there are still those phases during which the game excites you,” says the former India pacer, adding, “If the ball is swinging or if a fast bowler executes reverse swing well, I instantly get excited. Also, at times, what thrills me is the sheer planning — what we call a setup in cricketing terms — to get a wicket. When I see a bowler executing that to perfection, I still get chuffed.”
What does he miss the most about not playing for India? Besides the euphoria, Zaheer says he misses all the fun that he had when he donned the India colours. So, who was the biggest prankster? “I think Harbhajan Singh was probably right up there,” he says, adding, “Yuvraj and Bhajji were the biggest pranksters.” He further elaborates, “Even Sachin [Tendulkar] used to join the gang. He was no less (laughs). Sachin also had that side, so, he would always participate in those kinds of things or at least, make sure that these guys [Yuvraj and Bhajji etc.] were given the right kind of atmosphere (laughs).”
At the same time, Zaheer says the team also had the likes of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, who was “very serious”. But like Dravid, he also has had a stern image? “I think you should ask other team members (smiles). They will probably have other opinions about it. Surely, I was serious about the game and everything that came with it, but apart from that, I too had a lighter side. But probably, it was never noticed by others,”
Surely, I was serious about the game and everything that came with it, but apart from that I too had a lighter side. But probably, it was never noticed by others. ZAHEER KHAN, FORMER CRICKETER
he says.
Talking of Dravid, post retirement, he has been doing a great job as a coach with Under-19 and ‘A’ teams. Would he also be interested in a coaching stint now? “Well, I would love to do that at some point but I have not really planned anything as yet. Be it me playing for India or reaching several milestones, great things have happened in my career. But I have predominantly been just going with the flow. So, at some stage, maybe yes [I will take up coaching]. But right now, I am happy with what I am doing currently in terms of staying connected with the game,” he says.
Zaheer, who is married to actor Sagarika Ghatge, says he would “surely remain connected” to the sport in some way or the other. “I will always do something that’s connected to the game. Even when I am doing commentary stints and talking about cricket, I am staying connected with cricket, right? So, I will always be open to different kind of roles [around cricket],” he says.