Zaheer gets Srinath backing

Backing Zaheer Khan’s inclusion in India’s squad for the 2015 World Cup, former India pacer Javagal Srinath on Tuesday said the left-armer is an “automatic choice” for the tournament and should be given a parting shot if the speedster shows the passion to play.

“Zaheer is a top class bowler. If he has the desire, resolve and the strength to deliver, he is an automatic choice,” said the ICC match referee on the sidelines of a Gillete Men of Steel Initiative event.

“One needs to dig deep and see whether Zaheer has that kind of passion to continue and if wants 2015 as a parting shot then he should be allowed to do that,” he said.

Srinath - the only Indian pacer to take 300 and more ODI wickets - was all praise for the current pack of paceman.

“Mohammad Shami is a good bowler. Even Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is shaping up well. Ishant Sharma is looking to be back on track.

He is bowling consistently well. He has shown tremendous improvement since his comeback a year ago,” said the former Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary.

Srinath also said that T20 is a batsman’s game but good bowlers will always make their presence felt.