October 7th, 2025, marks the 47th birthday of an Indian cricketing legend who struck fear in the minds of the opposition while oozing elegance with the magic of his left-arm swing bowling, Zaheer Khan. As we celebrate 'Zak', it's impossible not to acknowledge his role as one of the greatest fast bowlers to ever don the tricolour jersey.

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From his debut in 2000 to his retirement 15 years later was a masterclass in pace bowling evolution. Zaheer Khan began as a tearaway quick and transformed into a cunning seamer who mastered the art of reverse swing and the slower delivery, most famously, the 'knuckle ball'. His longevity in the game culminated in a stellar career with 311 Test wickets, 282 ODI wickets and 17 T20I scalps.

A true definition of a big tournament player, Zaheer Khan always performed when the lights were the brightest. Who can forget his fiery spell of 4/19 against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup, setting a ruthless tone for the team's run to the final? Or perhaps his magnificent tour of England in 2007, where his 18 wickets, including a famous five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge, spearheaded a historic series victory?

However, the pinnacle of his career arrived in the 2011 ICC World Cup, where he was India's bowling spearhead. His performance in the final against Sri Lanka, starting with three consecutive maidens, and then a wicket of Upul Tharanga, set the foundation for the famous World Cup win. His spell of 5 overs included 3 maidens, 1 wicket and a mere 6 runs conceded. Zak finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker, with 21 wickets.

This leads to a mind-blowing fact that truly cements his legacy. Zaheer Khan was the lead wicket-taker for India in three consecutive ODI World Cups (2003, 2007, and 2011). In doing so, he remains the only bowler in cricket history to be the leading (outright or joint-leading) wicket-taker for his country in three consecutive ODI World Cups.

Zaheer Khan single-handedly inspired a whole generation of Indians to become pacers in a time when greats like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh were popularising spin bowling. Truly one of the greatest of all time.