EXCLUSIVE

Calcutta: Zaheer Khan, India's finest left-arm new-ball bowler, who collected 311 Test wickets and 282 in ODIs, spoke to The Telegraph at the Eden on Sunday.

Zaheer, who will soon be 38, is in the city for TV commentary in the ongoing India-New Zealand Test series.

Incidentally, not for the first time, Zaheer preferred to stand while the interview was being conducted.

Excerpts...

Q Most felt you could still have played T20Is, at least, when you decided to retire from international cricket last October...

I was absolutely clear in my mind when I made that decision... Of course, in the lead-up, there were some thoughts but I was happy when I made the call to retire... I'd consulted close friends, spoken to my parents... Told them about how good the journey had been... They didn't dissuade me.

But was it an easy decision to make?

It's never easy for any cricketer, but a time comes when you have to make a call. It's a very individual thing and you cannot generalise. It comes from within... I wanted to go out when I was feeling high within, not necessarily with thousands cheering from the stands.

So, you didn't want to bow out in the India colours on the field of play?

No.

You're still playing in the IPL, though...

I'm preparing for the next season... Let's see how it goes.

[Zaheer again wore the Delhi DareDevils colours this year.]

Despite the many highs, it must still be a regret that injuries hurt your career...

The word 'regret' doesn't exist in my dictionary. I don't associate myself with 'regret'... I enjoyed my journey of 14-15 years... I believe that whatever happened set me up for bigger things.

Destiny?

Call it that.

Could we, sooner rather than later, see you as mentor to India's current crop of new-ball bowlers?

I am open to any kind of role. Contributing to the game and staying connected is something I looked forward to when I decided to end my India career. However, I have been mentoring without being a formal mentor.

Your thoughts on the present attack...

Ishant (Sharma) has been there for some years... Umesh Yadav, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar), Mohammed Shami have been there for a few years... Bhuvi, for one, has been stacking up good performances, which is creditable.

What should they be doing?

Generally, fast bowlers have to be open to learning and they've got to understand what works in certain conditions. They must get more exposure to different conditions. That is required for their development.

James Anderson, Dale Steyn, Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult are outstanding new-ball bowlers... Who stands tallest?

I agree with the general view that Steyn is the benchmark for fast bowlers. I've always admired Steyn, admired his run-up, his late swing... Anderson is also very, very consistent and has the ability to adapt outside England... Starc has the potential to make it really big... Boult too... I'd also add Stuart Broad and Tim Southee to the list of four you've mentioned.

Does the T20 format actually challenge new-ball bowlers or has it made them lazy because of the four-over restriction?

The future stars are going to come from the T20 format, make no mistake. There's immense pressure and those who come through, make a quick impact, will become stars.

Would you agree that the emerging generation is targeting the IPL and not Test cricket?

No, I don't think that's a correct assessment of things... They do look to play at the highest level, but will only get there if their basics are strong.

Who is the one batsman you hated bowling to?

I'd focus on my strengths, not on the strengths of batsmen... But, yes, with the help of technology one did watch the strong and weak zones... Bottom line is that bowlers have to respect all batsmen.

Were you happy that, playing for India, you didn't have to bowl to Sachin Tendulkar or Virender Sehwag?

I liked challenges and would look forward to bowling to a great. That way, I'd know where I stood in a contest with a top-notch batsman.

You mastered the art of reverse-swing...

Nothing comes easy.

Finest moment?

Winning the 2011 World Cup would be at the top... Then, the Test series win in England in 2007 and the Test against Sri Lanka at the CCI (2009) when we became No.1 in Test cricket for the first time.

What would be your advice for the really young new-ball bowlers?

Keep things simple till your bowling muscles have developed. The foundations must be strong and don't attempt too many variations all at the same time. Just like batsmen shouldn't even attempt to master all shots till their basics are solid. Once the basics are strong, there's no looking back.

One more... I assume doing commentary on the TV is easier than playing...

(Smiles) For sure it is. Not that there's nothing which troubles you... Sweat, for example... Out on the field, you don't look at how much you're sweating. But, as a commentator on the TV, sweat would look bad... You become conscious.