Zaheer Khan is better bowler than James Anderson, says Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma also cleared the air around Wellington test controversy in 2014.

Former Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has rated Zaheer Khan above James Anderson. Ishant also felt that if James Anderson was playing most of his cricket in India then he wouldn’t have been as successful as he is in playing in English conditions. James Anderson is currently chasing the 700 test wickets milestone. Anderson is 14 short of becoming the third bowler to take 700 test wickets. James Anderson is 41 years old and still going strong in the Ashes series against Australia. Zaheer Khan retired from International cricket a few years ago ending his career at 92 test matches and 311 test wickets. Ishant also said that Zaheer was a versatile pace bowler in international cricket. 

Comparing James Anderson and Zaheer Khan, veteran pace bowler Ishant Sharma said, “Jimmy Anderson’s bowling style and method is different. He plays in different conditions in England. Maybe if he played in India… Zak is better than Jimmy Anderson”.

Playing most of his test games in India Zaheer has a magnificent record as a left-arm pacer. Out of 92, Zaheer played 38 Tests in India and picked up 104 wickets, which is a magnificent number for a pacer in the Sub-continent. James Anderson also has decent stats in India as he played 13 tests in India and picked up 34 wickets in the 22 innings he bowled. 

Ishant Sharma also cleared the air around the controversy involving Zaheer Khan and Ishant in the Wellington test in 2014. When Zaheer dropped a catch on Ishant Sharma’s over, Ishant outbursts his frustration. It was seen as Ishant abusing Zaheer. Talking about the incident he said, “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 I say that to Zak? He is literally like a guru to me… It was just frustration as Brendon Mccullum was scoring a lot of runs”.