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We need to make a few adjustments on SA pitches: Zaheer
Veteran speedster Zaheer Khan, who will be spearheading the Indian pace attack in the two-Test series, feels that one needs to make some adjustments on the "hit the deck" kind of surfaces in South Africa having done bulk of the bowling on the sub-continental featherbeds.
"For a seam bowler, it is important to get the ball in the right areas. The wickets here are more on the sort of hit-the-deck kind of wickets. That adjustment you will probably have to make as a bowler coming from India," the 35-year-old said during a press conference on the eve of India's warm-up game against SA Invitational XI.
'You have got to back yourself and play good cricket'
A veteran of 88 Tests, Zaheer has been a part of both the Indian teams that won a Test match each during their previous tours of 2006-07 and 2010-11 respectively. On the first occasion, it was a comeback tour for the talented left-arm pacer when they won a Test match under Rahul Dravid's captaincy in Johannesburg. On the second occasion, it was a victory in Durban under MS Dhoni's leadership.
Incidentally, India's both Tests will be held at these two venues and Zaheer's mantra is "self-belief".
"First of all, you have got to back yourself and play good cricket. For any team to do well anywhere, you need to have good days together and keep coming back all the time and have the belief. So I would say that was our success mantra during the earlier tours and this tour also we will look to do the same," Zaheer said.
This is a new beginning for Zaheer, who was dropped due to poor form and fitness that affected his performance during the home series against England.
"I am very happy that finally, I am making a comeback. This is definitely the beginning of a new journey for me which I am definitely going to enjoy," Zaheer said.
'Rule changes in ODIs have impacted everyone'
Zaheer admitted that field restriction in ODI cricket has impacted the performance of the bowlers not just from India but from other countries as well.
"Rule changes in ODIs have impacted everyone in death bowling not just Indian bowlers. As the matches went on, the bowling got better. In another week's time, things will be even better. To bowl with a white Kookaburra ball and a red ball, well there is a difference.
"But after whatever the players have seen and experienced, I am sure everyone is analyzing themselves. Come the Test series, it will be a different ball game," the wily left-armer said.
While the ODI team was busy playing the ODI series with the Proteas, the Test-specialists landed here few days back.
Johannesburg has been their base and they have had a few net sessions. For Zaheer individually, the preparation began a long time ago.
'Losing weight was one of the targets'
After being dropped from the side last winter, he has been on a rigorous fitness regime, which took him to the France in the company of Yuvraj Singh and later to Bloemfontein, where he trained with a local side.
"When I decided that I had to make a comeback, I needed to have a strategy how to go about it. The first phase was in France and the second phase was with Adrian le Roux here at Bloemfontein. That was more on the skill-front, and I spent about three weeks here practising with the local side as well which was also a good help," said the old-guard.
A fitter and leaner Zaheer has made a comeback with the satisfaction of having worked hard to achieve it.
"Losing weight was one of the targets. What I really wanted to achieve was to recover in between spells and to come back and be on the ball from the first delivery. So, in terms of those aspects, I have ticked all the boxes.
"That's all I can say, it's not just about losing weight and putting muscles. Right now I am happy with the way I am able to sustain through a five-day game," he quipped.