Zak's having a bat, and a ball

The left arm pacer has given the Australians more than just tough glances

BANGALORE: Zaheer Khan has emerged as a particularly prickly thorn in Australian flesh in the first Test so far. Consider this. In the first innings, Zaheer snared five Australian wickets for 91 runs in 29.5 overs, which are also his best bowling figures against them. Then, as the Indian top and middle order fell to the disciplined Australian bowling, it was Zaheer in company of Harbhajan Singh, who saved India the blushes.

He scored his second Test fifty as he remained unbeaten on 57 and was the top scorer in the Indians innings. Then, as the Australians came out to bat in the second innings, it was Zaheer who drew first blood.

He got Hayden's wicket for the second time in the match in a fiery first spell during which he conceded just 10 runs off 8 overs and took one wicket. Even later in the day, with the old ball, Zaheer reversed the ball and kept the screws tightened on the Australian batsmen, never allowing them to score runs freely. He returned with impressive figures of one wicket off his 15 overs, conceding just 30 runs.

The competition has certainly noticed. Shane Watson, who was at the crease at the end of the day, said: "Zaheer Khan was bowling really well. He was actually bowling very big reverse swing, specially the ball coming in to me from around the wicket so it was fairly hard to survive. He was very hard to get away."

Apart from generating good pace and bounce from the slow strip, he was also producing fire in terms of attitude. Both while bowling and batting, Zaheer did not shy away the odd glare and scowl. He even had a heated exchange with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin towards the end of the third day.

The confidence has a history. It probably emerges in part from his record against the Australians, prior to this match. In the nine Tests that he has played against them, Zaheer has picked up 23 wickets.

Clearly, as the first Test looks like its going to peter into a draw, the grit and resolve Zaheer has shown under pressure will be one of the few positives that India will take away from Bangalore. And as for the Australians, it isn't difficult to imagine the thinktank already redrawing the planning board with a fresh focus: Zak.