Zaheer’s back, with short run-up

To add to the misery, Zaheer has been demoted from Grade B to Grade C in the BCCI’s three-tier contracts for players announced on Saturday. However, that is certainly ‘‘not worrying’’ the bowler at the moment.

‘‘I’m very happy that I’m back,’’ is all that Zaheer has to say on his return. He says that ‘‘the team is doing really well and so everybody would want to be there.’’

In Jawagal Srinath’s opinion, Zaheer is still the ‘‘number one strike bowler’’ India have at the moment. During his recent stint at the MRF Pace Academy, Zaheer took advice from experts there — Srinath included — that has helped him bring a few changes in his bowling action.

‘‘I have shortened my run-up and my rhythm has been better since then,’’ he says. Right now, Zaheer is just focussing on cricket. He does not want to talk about any controversy or the often talked about ‘‘attitude problems’’ that almost cost him his place in the team.

He also worked closely with his former personal coach Sudhir Naik who says: ‘‘Zaheer has learnt to control the new ball better. Earlier, he was just trying to be fast. Now he concentrates more on accuracy.’’

Zaheer’s own analysis is that after being left out of the team he got ‘‘the best chance to get to know more about himself and work on his shortcomings.’’ The fast bowler is currently in Vadodara, gearing up for the Ranji Trophy match against Punjab while warming up for his first international match in more than three months.