Unsung and running silent
The spirited performances of Zaheer Khan in India's series defeat went largely unnoticed, when the brickbats were out following the failure of the Fab Four
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
The spirited performances of Zaheer Khan in India's series defeat went largely unnoticed, when the brickbats were out following the failure of the Fab Four. Though Zaheer's figures appear far from flattering, he shouldered the burden well as the senior pro in the pace department, writes Anand Vasu in Hindustan Times.
If proof was needed that Zaheer was a changed man it came in the final Test, when Ishant keeled over with a glut (buttock) injury. With Ishant hobbling off the park, not to return to bowl in the game, India had lost a quarter of their specialist bowling options. Zaheer then had to bowl for more than one person and he did so admirably.
In the Hindu, S Ram Mahesh writes that Ajantha Mendis' startling rise is all credit to the Sri Lankan way of cricket, one that embraces unorthodoxy.
When Mahela Jayawardene was translating for Ajantha Mendis in the press conference following the conclusion of the third Test, there occurred the sort of moment that throws light on the natural humours of two men, and the relationship sport binds them in. Jayawardene would incline his head in Mendis’ direction, listen to the reply, which to every question was incredibly brief, and answer in English, looking at his young spinner from time to time to see if he had anything to add.
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo