Cricket: Zaheer is the reliable bowler after Kumble for India

The cynosure of a nation's emotional entry into the World Cup semi-finals, Zaheer Khan has affirmed himself as the heir apparent to Anil Kumble by getting India out of a hole whenever they seem like caving in.

He doesn't terrorise the opponents like a Joel Garner or flummox them with Wasim Akram-like pace and swing; rather Zaheer - sporting a golden streak in his spiked locks these days - is workman-like and knows his limitations while he plays on batsmen's weaknesses. Ask Graeme Smith for testimony!

After that 15-run first over in the 2003 final against Australia, Zaheer fought injuries, bad form and another heart-break in the first-round exit in 2007. But what stood out during that phase were two things: one, his grit that helped him overcome his brittle fitness and second, reverse swing.

And it won't be wrong to admit that while his fitness allowed him to play more consistently, mastering the reverse swing earned him both respect and wickets.

Then came Kumble's retirement and everybody pipped Harbhajan Singh to spearhead the Indian attack. But while the offie's form swayed like a pendulum between average bowling and enterprising batsmanship, Zaheer kept working on the ball to get the maximum out of it.

And the maximum he has got, thus taking over the mantle from Kumble as the weapon of mass destruction in his captain's bowling arsenal.

So eight years on since that heart-breaking first over in 2003, Zaheer started the 2011 World Cup as the only hope among India's 'okay' bowling attack. And with 17 wickets, which is only behind Shahid Afridi's tally of 21, the left-arm quickie from Shrirampur in Maharashtra hasn't let himself and his team down.

Thankfully for India, the bowling unit is starting to get its act together towards the business end of the tournament as they restricted Australia to 260/6 in their quarterfinal victory on Thursday.

While those are ominous signs for India's next opponent Pakistan, who the hosts take on in the semi-final at Mohali on March 30, it will only make Zaheer more threatening.