Zaheer Khan Turns 48: India’s 2011 World Cup Hero
Indian cricket celebrates a pace legend. Zaheer Khan turns 48 this week, and tributes are pouring in for the 2011 World Cup hero.
Born in Shrirampur, Maharashtra in October 1978, Zaheer played for India from 2000 to 2014. The left-arm fast-medium bowler took 311 Test wickets and 282 ODI wickets. He remains India’s second-most successful pace bowler in Tests, behind Kapil Dev.
His finest hour came in the 2011 World Cup. He took 21 wickets in nine matches, finishing as the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker. His reverse swing and knuckleball dismantled batting line-ups on home soil.
Zaheer won the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Padma Shri in 2020. He was also a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008. Fans remember him as the thinking fast bowler who led India’s attack with skill and smarts. Former teammates led the birthday wishes on social media. Zaheer now works as a commentator and mentor. Young pacers often cite his reverse swing mastery as an inspiration.
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