Only 22 overs of play were possible on the opening day of the first Test of the three-match India-Sri Lanka series. And, when play was called off on Day One, the Sri Lankan score read 85 for two. It would be unfair then to assert as to which team has the advantage. India, however, would be more than happy with the day's proceedings. The reason being the way pace spearhead, Zaheer Khan shaped up while opening the bowling at the Sinhalese Sports Club yesterday. It was his first day of action since being injured in the opening Test during India's Australia tour in December 2007 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sharp spell
The left-arm pacer bowled with control in a sharp spell of nine overs at a stretch and had figures of 9-0-42-1. Zaheer would have certainly returned with his head held high. His spell confirmed that the left-armer was fit and the movement he got indicated he had not lost his skills from the injury lay-off.
The most heartening fact was that he had not lost his incoming ball (in swing to the right-hand batsman) a left-armer's chief weapon.
Zaheer provided solid proof of it with a peach of a delivery to get rid of the in-form home team batsman Kumara Sangakarra. The ball pitched at a perfect length and left Sangakarra while taking the edge of his bat for Rahul Dravid to complete a good low diving catch.
The most relieved man would be skipper Anil Kumble. For, in a four-man bowling combination, a below-par bowler would be a severe handicap.
County conditions
The conditions at SSC were overcast, similar to that of county cricket. And Zaheer owes a lot to his stint in England in 2006. He had arrived in Old Blighty struggling to save his career but found his inspiration at Worcestershire to take 78 wickets and earn a recall for the Indian team's tour of South Africa. He hasn't looked back since, underlining his class with a telling performance against England at Trent Bridge in the summer of 2007.
The most important lesson Zaheer must have learnt during his period of struggle was that reputation and talent mean nothing if you don't have the right attitude. Post that phase, Zaheer is a thorough professional. An example of it was seen in his meticulous preparation for this game.
He followed his fitness chart with utmost sincerity. He was seen doing his pool sessions alone the day before the game. On the morning of the Test yesterday when the game was delayed by rain, while others in the playing XI opted for rest in their respective rooms, Zaheer used the time to work on his fitness.
He played squash before having a gym session under the supervision of bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad. That he still had enough reserve in his fuel tank to come and bowl nine overs shows that Zak is fit and raring to go. It is certainly not good news for the Sri Lankan batsmen.
Breif scores: Sri Lanka 85 for 2 (Malinda Warnapura batting 50, Mahela Jayawardene batting 16; Ishant Sharma 1-21, Zaheer Khan 1-42) v India
Figure Trigger
Stats which Zaheer Khan should keep in mind for Day Two of
the Colombo Test:
3
Number of Tests Sri Lanka have managed to win against India on the 26 occasions they have locked horns
299
Runs that Sri Lankan opener Malinda Warnapura has scored in his four Test appearances so far
2062
Runs that Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene has scored at the SSC in 19 Tests so far
