Happy that I have changed the course of many games - Zaheer

How tough is it to finally give up on what you say is your life?
It was tougher than I thought, and that is summed up in my press release as well. For any cricketer it is the toughest decision you have to make. You always think that one last push is there. Especially with me, knowing that "Zak is Back" can happen, I thought that I can give that push. Somewhere during the training, as I was preparing for the season, I realised that it is the right time to walk away from international cricket. This is how the whole process happened. What happened post that was discussion with people and letting them know that this is what is going on in my mind.

You wrote in your press release that your mother was happy with your journey. Are you satisfied with your career or are there any regrets?
Very, very satisfied. She summed it up very nicely. That kind of consolidated my decision. The decision was very clear post that discussion I had with my family members.

Whom did you consult?
The decision was made, and then I went and spoke to everyone. I did go and meet Sachin [Tendulkar] also. I had a good word with Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar. I had a good word with all my coaches. I spoke to Sudhir Naik sir, I spoke to TA Sekhar as well. Pretty much, they were all also happy. Pretty much everyone I have been talking to, they have been talking about the journey, too. That's the highlight of it.

Did anyone urge you to give another try?
Jokingly, my friends keep telling me that. They are pulling my leg till today, asking if I am going to take a U-turn. But, [Javagal] Srinath was the only one who said that I could have played for one more year easily. I told him, being a pace bowler yourself, you shouldn't be telling me all this. You should relate to me, and not tell me to play another year.

Considering that you played 15 years of international cricket, how much did you have to unlearn and learn new things to keep yourself fresh and relevant?
That process goes on throughout, and will continue as I am just watching the game. That thing never stops. As you see, cricket is evolving and batters are adapting new techniques. They are trying different tactics to counter what bowlers are throwing at them.

Do you think injuries shortened your career or did they play a role in making you the player that you went on to become?
I have done well with all of it. That's one thing I feel proud of, that whatever things which have been thrown at me at different situations, I have dealt with it well. That's why "Zak is Back" is there. That's one thing I have always looked at as a learning curve. Every experience has made me and changed me as a person in a better way.

Have you counted the number of surgeries or injuries you had?
Surgeries I have had only two. That way I was lucky. Yeah, I did have niggles and stuff like that here and there.

From a schoolboy cricketer who traveled to play MLA Trophy with tennis-ball matches all over Ahmednagar district to winning a World Cup. Can you recall your journey on a day like this?
Since the time I have made my decision, I have been thinking about all of that. It's been a special journey. At no point in Shrirampur did I think I would make it to Indian cricket. There are a series of events that happened and if one link was missing, I don't think I would be sitting here and talking to you guys.

Leading up to international cricket, the journey was very critical. I started way back in 1996 and I came to National [Cricket Club]. Right from Sudhir Naik telling me to take cricket seriously to [Vidya] Paradkar [Naik's assistant coach at National Cricket Club, Mumbai] spending a lot of time just working on my bowling, going to [MRF] Pace Foundation and working with Dennis [Lillee] and TA Sekhar that time, and also getting exposed to fitness training. Even physios and trainers, all have played their part. From Chennai, I landed up in Baroda to make my Ranji Trophy debut. So, from Shrirampur I have gone to many places to make it to the Indian team. That's what I really feel proud of.

You mastered the art of swing, both with the new and old ball. Was it a self-taught process?
As I was playing more and more, things were falling into place. I would think of approaching certain situations in a certain way, and then it kind of formed a pattern. If it's 80 overs in a day, how different situations are played. If you are playing in Australia or South Africa, especially with the Kookaburra balls, batters would look to come at you between 60 to 80 overs, because that's when the ball is not doing much. If it is a really flat wicket, they will start at 50. Initially they will be very watchful. When they are watchful, it's your time of attacking. You have to force them. When they are attacking, it's your time to be defensive.

These are the things you learn with experience, and also different balls react differently. [The] Kookaburra ball reacts differently to [the] SG ball. Later on, in Test cricket here in India, you would have seen that I did not bowl longer spells with the new ball, but saved myself for reverse-swing, so that I am fresh and I have enough strength because the wicket is not going to offer you much. Those kind of things happen with experience. That's what the learning curve is all about. As I was playing more and more games, I started understanding these situations and helping speed up that process of understanding for the youngsters.

Chaminda Vaas has said that he learnt reverse-swing by watching Wasim Akram on television, because no one shared the secret with him. How did you master it, especially when there was no tradition in India?
In Indian conditions, the ball would go reverse on most occasions. There is a particular way in which you can release the ball to get the maximum amount [out] of it. If you don't do that and hide the ball appropriately, you won't get that.

I started hiding the ball and it just happened to me. I cannot really pinpoint any particular moment. I just started bowling it, and I started running in trying to hide the ball with the other hand, and it kind of amplified the effect of reverse-swing.

The current crop of fast bowlers is not able to master that. Why is it [reverse-swing] dying?
In one-dayers, it is dying. In Test matches, it is still there.

You spoke about experience. Do you think the 2006 county stint with Worcestershire played a role in your transformation as a bowler?
It played a huge role, but I must tell you that leading up to it I had been advised to cut short my run-up. Just that I was just not able to do that because I was playing international cricket regularly, and those are things you just cannot go in the international game and change. So, when I was away from international cricket, I got an opportunity to work on that.

Cutting my run-up short gave me more control. With technology and by asking people even you all will know the faults of the batters, but as a bowler you have got to be able to execute that. And to execute that you need control. That process happened in county as I bowled more and more with a short run-up. That kind of helped me become a more attacking bowler, in terms of exploiting a batsman's weakness.

In 2005, when India lost the ODI series to Pakistan 4-2 you were in an important phase of your career. Can you recall what happened in that phase, and the people who came up to you and gave you the idea of playing county cricket?
It just happened. Murali Kartik, who is good friends with Vikram Solanki and had played with him, called me. He said there is a place available and, honestly for me, there was no option. I didn't think about it and just said that I want to play. I looked at the next six months and playing some kind of cricket. I just wanted to be on the field as it was the off season in India. Then, Vikram called me, and I spoke to Steve Rhodes, the coach, and Mark Newton, the [chief] executive, and that's how Worcestershire happened. There was no thought process as such. I would just go and train. There was no cricket. I was just training in Mumbai in that phase, completely blank. I was not sure [of] what's next.

More than returning mentally and physically in tune after a county stint, was the idea of constantly picking up wickets more appealing?
The way I approached my bowling was to focus on the right areas and keep asking questions. If I knew a batsman's weakness, then I would just keep bowling there or go according to the situation. If there is a partnership happening and someone is coming hard at you, then have a plan which is going to restrict him from achieving that. That, itself, is a victory in that particular phase. So, I used to approach that way.

You were seen in a different light after returning from England. In the Wanderers Test against South Africa in 2006, Sreesanth took more wickets, but you were a different bowler. Was it because you were secure about your place in the Indian team?
I was just enjoying the game. I would say that's what Worcestershire taught me. I was just there playing the game of cricket, and enjoying it. I just continued that mindset from thereon. Leading up to that, yes, there were a lot of things happening in India, which kind of put pressure on me. It was all about getting back into the team, doing this and that, or you have to show the wickets. Going to Worcestershire was an enjoyment factor.

Very few players have managed to make the second part of their career far more impressive than the first one. What would you attribute your success to?
It all came back to knowing more about the game and understanding how the whole thing is going. If a particular team is doing a media conference in a certain way, then what's the reason behind that. Those things do happen, right? Later on, I started using it to my advantage.

So you secretly enjoyed it when the media started projecting Graeme Smith as your bunny?
Of course, yes. That's the fun part of it. Aggression is important, but these things are also important. If you saying something as a bowler is going to affect his game, that's what you want, right?

Would you go and grin at Smith between deliveries?
I would say things. Sometimes, I did not say anything and just looked at him because he would not look at me on the field. That itself is enough at times. It was a good battle. I have been a part of many battles. Sometimes you are fielding for long, long days and you come back. That's what I enjoyed about Test matches. The ability to make things happen is exciting and when your plan succeeds, it's most satisfying.

How much did you act up the jelly bean incident during the 2007 Test series in England?
I did act up a bit, and that's what everyone does. I am happy about that. I didn't act it up on the field, but post the match I did, because I thought there was an opportunity.

What went into the making of your 2011 World Cup performance and did the memories of the 2003 World Cup final linger?
Actually, in a way it was a good learning for me. Obviously, I was disappointed when it happened to me. After the national anthem [in 2003], everyone was so charged up and I was about to bowl. That didn't help and I was acting out of my character. That was not my natural way of approaching situations. I did go at the batters and in the process I lost control in those two overs. Then, it was hard for me to get back. Australia, of course, was playing good cricket at that time. They had not lost a single game in the World Cup, and had the edge and good players to put the pressure back on us.

That experience did help in 2011. As I was standing for the national anthem, I was kind of zoned out and we happened to bowl again this time. The night before, I was saying that I have worked at it, I have got a second opportunity and I know what to do. I looked at it [2003] as an experience which is going to help me do better, and not as the pressure of not doing well.

Considering what happened in 2003, did playing the 2011 final at the Wankhede Stadium add more pressure or was it good to have home support?
I was fully zoned out, focused only on the job on hand. It started with winning the Pakistan game (semi-final) in Mohali. We did celebrate our win, but we all were very aware that we will be playing the final in two days' time. So, that was very clear with everyone, that we will mingle with people but not relax as it was not the end. The talks in the dressing room were like that and it was a great thing. Personally, I was saying that I have come this far and I know what's going to come next.

Were you relieved after that opening spell of five overs in the final?
I remember it was a very, very hot day. It was probably one of the hottest days in Mumbai. The conditions were tough and the first spell was critical, but I was not relaxed after that. I remember walking up to MS [Dhoni] and asking him to give me the final over. He wanted Munaf to bowl that. These are the decisions you take on the field, and I am glad we could win the match so easily.

Between these two World Cups, there was the 2007 edition. Was it the worst India dressing-room you have been a part of?
It was tough (laughs). Everyone was planning the next thing, but we had to cut short the trip. It was a tough couple of weeks.

When you walked out of Lord's in 2011 with 2 for 18 on the first morning, what was running through your mind?
The hamstring has always been a tricky thing with me, and I knew that it might not be an easy thing. With hamstrings, you never really know when it has healed fully. I did play the next practice match, but within three overs I knew I won't be there for a while.

In 2011, when you broke down in England, it came after a heavy international calendar and the IPL. You did not travel to the West Indies for the preceding tour, but do you think your career could have panned out differently if you had taken a break after the World Cup?
Not really. Before I took a decision on any niggles, I consulted enough guys. So, the call was right. It just happened. You don't have any control over an injury. I was actually waiting for the tour to get over and go for an ankle surgery. That surgery was not mandatory. And, the injury I had was of the hamstring, and had nothing to do with the ankle. But, because I was missing the series, I went for the surgery at that point. Whatever calls you take, you take after discussing with experts.

Talking about numbers, there were many four-wicket hauls but you could not convert them into five-fors. Is that a regret?
Not really. If I can create that impact in a spell by taking three-four wickets, then I am happy. I was always looking for the kind of situations where I could have an impact on the game, and I am happy that I have achieved it and changed the course of many games.

You have been given a lot of compliments. Sachin Tendulkar said that you out-thought the batsmen. Kapil Dev said that he would have loved to share the new ball with you had you been his contemporary. How do you want to be remembered. What is Zaheer Khan's legacy?
Someone who just kept trying, never gave up is what I look at. That's the approach I carried on to the field every time. I think sometimes even when you are defensive, that's also attacking. You got to know that.

Kumar Sangakkara rates you among the toughest bowlers he has faced. Are you happy that some of the top batsmen have rated you the most difficult to play?
When I look back, these are the things which make you proud about yourself. Sanga is a top guy. He has his record to speak for itself. Someone like him, praising you, you tell yourself that you deserve a pat on your back. You have done well for yourself.

Javagal Srinath told ESPNcricinfo that perhaps you could have managed your body better. Do you agree or do you think you understood your body better in the latter half of your career?
There are ifs and buts in every aspect of life. He told me this, and I told him that every time we used to restrict a team to 220 or 230, he used to say that we could have restricted them to 180. It's all part and parcel of the whole process. When I look back, I am happy and proud with what I have achieved.

Can you recall one day or one spell you bowled with complete control?
I can't pinpoint, but that 2006 phase is where I could just make it happen. Just land up at the ground, and do it right. That was the phase when I managed pretty well. If you guys were travelling, you would have seen that I hardly bowled in the nets. It was a phase where my rhythm was good until I got that plantar fascia injury [in 2007]. Injuries are a stop-gap and you rebuild again.

Indian bowlers are unable to find the right combination between pace and swing. Pace bowlers try to go for swing, and swing bowlers go for pace. What is your suggestion?
You need both. If you can adapt your skill level to what the wicket is offering, to a certain extent, then you can create more impact. If you have to bowl on a dampish wicket, hit-the-deck bowlers usually lose that edge. If you can adapt your skill to releasing and kissing the deck, then you are going to get maximum number of wickets.

There is a lot of talk that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has lost his swing in order to up his pace. What is your advice?
I don't relate it to that. Bhuvi has never been an out-and-out pace bowler. I don't think he is trying to bowling at 145kmph. He is still focussing on his skills and trying to swing the ball. That he is not able to swing it is a different story.

What are you going to miss the most?
Going out there and trying to figure out batsmen. Going with the game on the field. I really enjoyed that part. Being outside [the team]and seeing things, you can't do much really. But, being inside you always had a chance of doing something. That's what I will miss the most.

Are you going to miss mentoring or do you plan to become a bowling coach?
It depends. Yes, it comes naturally to me. So, I am always there if anyone needs any help. How exactly that is going to happen, I have not really given it a thought. I will right now focus on playing maybe play some club cricket just for the fun of it.