Calcutta: With Zaheer Khan's retirement from international cricket, a chapter in our sport-specific history has ended.

Indeed, it's not often that one can say that with absolute conviction.

It's a pity, however, that Zaheer retired so quietly, without fanfare or farewell. But, then, the 37-year-old used to go about his business without shor sharaba.

Complete ties with cricket, as a player, would be severed after IPL 2016.

Zaheer served India splendidly, till he was let down by his body, more than once, and also occasionally by men in authority who looked only at the present and the next day.

In Zaheer's case, the past didn't count for anything and the yardstick reserved for him appeared somewhat harsh.

Zaheer's last appearance for India was in New Zealand, all of 20 months ago.

Fast bowlers (and leg spinners) need careful handling and a minimum comfort level is required for them to operate well.

Zaheer was, perhaps, most comfortable under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy and when John Wright was the India coach.

Much later, Zaheer had a fairly good understanding with Gary Kirsten during his three years as coach.

This Reporter recalls receiving a call from Sourav, probably around mid September 2000. He was the India captain at that point in time.

"Have you seen a left-armer called Zaheer bowl? I want first-hand information from somebody who has watched him in action," Sourav said.

I hadn't seen Zaheer bowl, so I was of no help to Sourav.

That call came a couple of days before the India squad for the ICC KnockOut, in Nairobi, was to be selected.

Sure enough, Zaheer was picked (as was Yuvraj Singh). One assumes Sourav spoke to people who'd watched him in person, before the selection committee meeting.

Zaheer became an instant impact maker, collecting three for 48 against Kenya on debut.

[Yuvraj, incidentally, got his first India cap in the same match, but didn't get to bat. That opportunity came in the next game, against Australia, and he made headlines with a superb 84 which fetched him the MoM award.]

To no one's surprise, hours after Zaheer's retirement, Sourav hailed him as a "great bowler."

Minutes after the Board announced Zaheer's retirement, Sachin Tendulkar sent a rather affectionate SMS to The Telegraph. It read:

"One of the coolest pace bowlers I have known... Zak could out think batsmen most of the times and was always ready for a challenge...

"I am sure Zak will do well as he begins a new chapter in his life... Here's wishing him all success."

Zaheer already is an entrepreneur, owning trendy restaurants in Pune and a truly state-of-the-art fitness centre in Mumbai.

Clearly, Zaheer (a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning XI) has made investments wisely.

In time to come, Zaheer may return in the India colours worn by the support staff. After all, he'd be eminently suited to mentor the next generation of fast-medium bowlers.

Former India teammate V.V.S. Laxman was spot on when he talked of Zaheer having the credentials to make an "excellent bowling coach."

Laxman is on the Board's three-member cricket committee.

It's significant that Ravi Shastri, a former India captain who is the team director, has a high opinion of Zaheer.

Somebody with over 600 wickets in international cricket should surely be tapped for his expertise.

Zaheer, by the way, has his roots in Maharashtra's little-known Shrirampur, so he can be credited for proving an inspiration for the ones with big ambition from small towns.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for example, came on the India scene four years later.