Zaheer Khan was better than James Anderson – Ishant Sharma

India’s veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma has made a bold claim stating Zaheer Khan was better than James Anderson. Zaheer Khan is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers that India has produced over the years. The left-arm seamer finished with 311 wickets in 92 Test matches and scalped a total of 282 wickets in 200 ODI games.

Zaheer also took 17 wickets in as many T20I matches. The former Indian pacer had played a key role in India’s successful campaign of the 2011 ODI World Cup, taking 21 wickets in nine matches and finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

On the other hand, James Anderson is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers to have graced the sport. Anderson is the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket as he has snared 686 wickets in 180 Test matches and he is still going strong at 40.

“Jimmy Anderson’s bowling style and method is quite different. He plays in different conditions in England. May be if he played in India. Zak is better than Jimmy Anderson,” said Ishant on Ranveer Allahbadia’s YouTube show.

Meanwhile, Ishant also shed light on the 2014 Wellington Test match incident when he was caught abusing Zaheer Khan, who was fielding at the boundary. However, the lanky pacer revealed he had said it to himself.

“I had told that to myself. To this day, people don’t understand to whom I said that. I have never abused anyone who has dropped a catch. How can say that to Zak? He is literally like guru for me. I have never even thought about saying anything like that,” Ishant added.

Furthermore, Ishant lauded his Delhi teammate Virat Kohli for bringing fitness culture into the Indian team and gave him credit for getting the best out of fast bowlers during his stint as skipper.

“When Virat Kohli became the captain, he brought fitness culture into the Indian team; it became compulsory to everyone. Now, if you see Shami & other fast bowlers, you can see the difference. That was huge under Kohli,” said Ishant.

Zaheer Khan currently served as Director of Cricket for Mumbai Indians in the IPL whereas Ishant Sharma played for Delhi Capitals in the tournament.