Vidya Paradkar, one of India's new bowling consultant Zaheer Khan's early mentors, has said that he is not surprised to see his ward entering the coaching sphere
Vidya Paradkar
Vidya Paradkar
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Vidya Paradkar, one of India's new bowling consultant Zaheer Khan's early mentors, has said that he is not surprised to see his ward entering the coaching sphere. "Even in his teens, Zaheer was always a thinking bowler and had an analytical mind. I am delighted that he has been offered to be India's bowling consultant," said the Central Mumbai-based Paradkar, who alongwith former Test opener Sudhir Naik, helped in Zaheer's emergence from Cross Maidan's National Cricket Club.
Paradkar reckoned Zaheer displayed his ability to be a good coach during his final Indian Premier League season with Delhi Daredevils earlier this year. "I observed him closely. He captained the side well and his field placements were spot-on. They looked a potentially champion side under him. Unfortunately, they didn't make it.
"He has all the attributes to be a successful bowling consultant for India. Firstly, he had this great bowling armoury — he could bowl all types of deliveries — and then of course, he has the experience of 92 Tests," said Paradkar, who recalled the left-arm fast bowler's days at National CC. "Zaheer was fully focused on his game. He never took cricket off his mind; he would never even go to watch a film in a theatre. His studious nature worked for him as well," Paradkar added.