'Even today, it's a mystery what he saw in me' - former India quick Zaheer Khan reveals Sudhir Naik's role in shaping his career

Former Mumbai skipper and India cricketer Sudhir Naik breathed his last on Wednesday, April 5. The former cricketer is widely remembered for his leadership masterclass as he led a low-on-strength Mumbai team to win the 1970-71 Ranji trophy, while being devoid of the services of star players such as Sunil Gavaskar and Ajit Wadekar.

Even after retiring from professional cricket, Naik didn't falter and continued to render his services to Mumbai cricket by taking up the role of the pitch curator of the Wankhede Stadium, one of the world's most iconic cricket venues. His stint as the Wankhede pitch curator saw the final of the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup being played at the ground for which, he curated the track that bagged much praise later on.

He had also been the founder-cum-coach of the National Cricket Club in Mumbai that gave birth to renowned players such as Wasim Jaffer, Rajesh Pawar and Paras Mhambrey. Another one of his find who would, later on, take the world by storm was former India quick, Zaheer Khan.

In a recent conversation with The Indian Express, Khan threw light on the role played by Naik in shaping his career. At the same time, he also revealed that he was flabbergasted when Naik first chose him to represent the National Cricket Club in Division A of the Mumbai league, after having played in just one net session. He said that conversation flashed through his mind again when he saw Naik lying on the hospital bed, days before his unfortunate demise.

"When I saw Sir lying in the hospital bed during my recent visit, a conversation I had with him years ago flashed through my mind. I had gone to the National Cricket Club ground at Cross Maidan in Mumbai and Sir saw me bowl at the nets. Even today, it's a mystery what he saw in me," he said.

Khan further said that after being told about his selection, he was left wondering as the team already had good bowlers and he was still a rookie. 

"I was surprised because the team already had good pacers and I was a newbie. I had no experience of playing competitive cricket, never played at any level but still, he had complete faith in me," Khan said as he recollected his memories.

Always wanted to ask him but never could, said Khan

Khan also added that he always wanted to ask Naik the reason behind immediately selecting him for Division A but couldn't ask him ever. He however mentioned that it was that one decision that gave India the Zaheer Khan it knew about. 

"When I heard about his demise on Wednesday, I remembered that conversation. When I look back, that one moment and decision made me the Zaheer Khan everyone knows now," he said referring to his conversation with Naik after being selected for Division A.

"I would not have been what I am today had he not shown trust in me on day one of the nets. I always wanted to ask him, just in one nets session what did he see in me that made him feel that I had it in me? Alas, I never could and it'll remain a mystery to me," he further added.