Indian bowler of 2008: Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan as been the spearhead of the Indian pace bowling attack since his matchwinning display at Trent Bridge in 2007, as India won only its fifth Test match on English soil. Zaheer has been hit by injuries in 2008, and as a result though he played only nine Test matches and 10 one-day internationals this year, his performances in these matches were awe-inspiring and mind-boggling to say the least.

Zaheer took 27 wickets in nine Test matches with best bowling figures of 5/91 at an average of 36.85 and a strike rate of 68.8, and 17 wickets in 10 ODIs with best figures of 4/21 at an average of 19.52 and strike rate of 30.4. He may not have been the highest wicket-taker for India either in Tests or ODIs, but we are naming Zaheer the Indian bowler of 2008 for leading the pace attack admirably and for being an expert at the art of reverse-swinging.

Source: Akshay Iyer, India Syndicate
Images: AFP, AP, Cameraworx