My game was influenced by Zaheer Khan, whose skill at concealing his reverse swing was impressive: Ishant Sharma

One of the greatest pacers India has ever produced is former international Zaheer Khan. The left-arm bowler has played for the national side in 92 Test matches, taking 311 wickets in the process, and has played in 200 ODI matches, taking 282 wickets. He was a key contributor to India‘s victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup and has generally proven to be a formidable opponent on both the national and international stages.

Ishant Sharma, who has participated in 105 Test matches, stated that Zaheer had a significant influence on him when he was playing. Ishant first had some difficulty when the 44-year-old instructed him to hold the ball between the tips of his two fingers at the beginning of his career. Ishant’s bowling style was altered as a result, and this may have contributed to him taking 311 Test wickets, the same number as Zaheer. He praised the former cricketer as a result and mentioned Zaheer’s lethal reverse swing very briefly.

Zaheer Khan pa (had the biggest influence on my game). I would go and chomp off his ears.

After my debut, I didn’t participate in the England tour, so I gripped the ball firmly. I continued bowling for a little bit longer than I should have. He compelled me to adjust my grasp at that point. Because you have large hands, he advised, “Use the tips of the two fingers and hold it loose; the ball will move farther and faster on its own.”

“I witnessed the altercation involving Kevin Pietersen and Zak Pa in Nottingham in 2007 and the way Zak Pa made his fingers dance. It was stunning how he would conceal his reverse swing while running in to bowl, Sharma remarked in Part 4 of his interview on Jio Cinema’s Home of Heroes series.

Ishant is currently out of the running for a spot in the Indian Test team. He represents Delhi in domestic cricket as well as playing for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. In contrast, Zaheer Khan is the Mumbai Indians’ global head of cricket development.