(Cricket news) India's seam bowling wizard Zaheer Khan turns 43 years old today and is still widely considered to be India's best fast bowler since Kapil Dev. With a career spanning for over 14 years, Zaheer Khan has picked up 593 international wickets in Tests and ODIs.

Zaheer Khan's international debut came against Kenya in 2000. He instantly left his mark on the Indian team with his quick seam deliveries, deadly bouncers and lightning yorkers. Zaheer Khan's ability to reverse swing the old white as well as red ball was second to none. In the later stages of his career he also developed a signature knuckleball which deceived some of the world's best batsmen, especially during the 2011 World Cup.

Zaheer Khan's contribution to Indian cricket is unparalleled. India had forgotten what it was like to have a consistent fast bowler in the side since Kapil Dev's retirement and Zaheer Khan reminded everyone. The Mumbai seamer was also the leader of India's bowling attack in 3 World Cups. He finished as the highest wicket taker in the 2011 edition with 21 scalps to his name.

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Zaheer Khan is also known for his speciality to trouble left handers. His left arm seam bowling has got him 237 left handers wickets. He has dismissed four of the greatest left handers in the history of the game in Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya and Matthew Hayden more than 10 times. Graeme Smith in particular was in cricketing terms 'Zaheer Khan's Bunny'. In 27 international games, Zaheer Khan dismissed Graeme Smith a mammoth 14 times.

After hanging up his boots in 2017, Zaheer Khan has acted as a mentor, coach and consultant. He currently serves as the Director of Cricket Operations for IPL team Mumbai Indians.