South Africa v India Tests 2013: 5 reasons why it's wrong to expect miracles from Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan will, in all probability, make his much anticipated comeback to the Indian Test team when the first Test against South Africa begins at The Wanderers on the 18th of December.

Although Zaheer is a class act, and for long was the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack, it might not quite be the same any more. If anything, Zaheer could be more valuable as a mentor on this tour, than as Zaheer the bowler.

Here are 5 reasons why we should not expect Zaheer Khan to deliver miracles in South Africa.

1. The long break from international cricket

Zaheer last played a Test in December 2012. Although he’s worked hard on his fitness, and played a few first-class games, nothing quite matches the intensity of a Test match, especially overseas.

It will take Zaheer a few overs to settle down, because even for someone as experienced as him, the nerves will be jangling at the sight of the new ball in his palms and with an entire nation watching on expecting big things from him, it is definitely not going to be easy.

It is going to take Zaheer a few overs to start hitting the groove because one year is a long time to be away from the international arena.

2. No practice match

With the practice match in Benoni getting cancelled due to rain, Zaheer’s only real chance of easing back in has also been taken away from him. Had the practice match happened, it would have given him the chance to get the feel of conditions and also get into his bowling rhythm.

But now that the game has been called off, he will have to rely on whatever bowling he did in the Ranji Trophy, and the bowling he gets in while practising in the lead-up to the game. Hopefully from India’s perspective, Zaheer can match the intensity of a Test match in the nets to be fully prepared.

3. Strong South African batting

South Africa are arguably the best batting side in Test cricket right now. Add to that, home advantage, and their batsmen are in a really nice position.

Graeme Smith’s last Test innings was a mammoth 234 in Dubai. Hashim Amla has been as consistent as ever, and AB de Villiers can always be relied upon. Jacques Kallis is arguably, South Africa’s greatest batsman ever, and he will be eager to prove that class is permanent.

The big guns along with the likes of Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy will be looking to ensure that Zaheer has a torrid time on his comeback tour.

4. Erratic bowling partners

In all likelihood, Zaheer will be accompanied by Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma in the first Test. Shami has enjoyed a great start to his Test career, but that was against a mediocre West Indies team. This will be a bigger test, and as we saw in the 3rd ODI, Shami tends to buckle under pressure.

Ishant Sharma has never become the bowler he was touted to become after the Australia tour in 2007-08. Also, Ravichandran Ashwin, as good as he has been in India, has failed to replicate that form in the Tests that he has played overseas.

With such an inconsistent line-up for bowlers giving him company, there could be way too much pressure on Zaheer to deliver.

5. Pressure of expectations

This is something that can tie down the best of sportsmen. David Beckham has buckled under it, the great Brazilian Ronaldo found the pressure too much to cope with during the 1998 World Cup, and Zaheer’s opponents, the South Africans are way too familiar with choking under pressure.

Being by far the most experienced bowler in this team, and someone with prior tours to South Africa under his belt, there is massive pressure on Zaheer to deliver. Also, several ex-players have barked out loud for his return, and the failure of India’s younger crop of seamers seems to have thrown the mantle back at Zaheer.

Can Zaheer Khan cope with the expectation of being India’s only world class seamer? It is something he has done with aplomb in the past, and something India will be hoping he repeats in the two Tests in the Rainbow Nation.