The Indian Express - India's search for a tearaway fast bowler

Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan

A little later, India’s new speedsters were picking up pace. Zaheer Khan had touched 90 mph on his debut in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000 but his career remained a work in progress till the New Zealand tour of 2002-03. Apart from his conventional and reverse swing, he had also added a yard or two of pace which would be a crucial thing to India’s campaign in the World Cup which was to follow.

Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra

Even more surprising was the rise of Ashish Nehra as a genuine fast bowler. From his debut onwards, Nehra promised everything but pace. All that changed during the World Cup campaign where Nehra clocked 90 mph consistently and almost touched 150 kmph on an occasion. Among those who had expected this the least were the members of the English side who were blown away by his pace and swing on a balmy March evening in Durban.