Zaheer Khan: Every member of the MI family eager to go out and defend the title
Director of Cricket Operations for Mumbai Indians, Zaheer Khan interacted with the fans in a Question and Answer session on MI’s Twitter account on Tuesday.
He diligently answered all questions right from updating the supporters about the team preparations for the upcoming IPL to how it would be different from the previous seasons without the presence of fans.
He further even admired Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and how he was a serious thinker of the game. Zaheer was also excited about Trent Boult joining the MI squad and called him a world-class bowler.
Here we take you through all the questions he answered:
- Squads had been decided based on Indian conditions. Now that the venue is shifted, how challenging is it?
Zak: Generally, the preference is given to the home conditions and the squads are selected accordingly. But the squads are usually well rounded. So is the case with our squad. The MI squad is picked based on covering all the angles and the requirements of any given conditions. Mind you, we do play away games when we are back home. So, yes, we will have to adapt to the conditions here and adapt quickly but we do have a well-rounded squad.
Q: #AskZakOnMI Squads had been decided based on Indian conditions. Now that the venue is shifted, how challenging is i… https://t.co/1oQs8hPseT…
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @sohailb19
A: pic.twitter.com/JFq97kmgpz
- What is Rohit Sharma’s best quality as a captain?
Zak: Well, the list is very long but to me what stands out is the quality that he has of having the relaxed aura around him and yet he is a very intense thinker and a serious thinker of the game. That shows when he makes those tactical calls on the field in pressure situations of the match and his teammates believe in him. So I think, that quality I will put right up to bring out the best in every one of his teammates.
Q: #AskZakOnMI zak what is best quality that u seen on rohit as captain for @mipaltan
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @Lokanthiran1
A: @ImRo45 😎 pic.twitter.com/4MnwVXhfBx
- How difficult is it to play the tournament with so many precautions?
Zak: It is not going to be very difficult but different for sure. I think the routines are going to change with so many precautions the players will have to take, but it’s just a matter of time that they get used to it. Being a professional cricketer, you have to understand and accept these challenges. I think this is the demand of the time, the demand of the new normal that we will have to get used to and deliver it on the field.
Q: How difficult it would be to play the tournament with so many precautions? #AskZakOnMI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @SaahilMehta45
A: 😷🧴🏏 pic.twitter.com/ULsZU84NJb
- Views about Trent Boult’s addition to the bowling attack this year?
Zak: The Paltans should be excited that Boult is going to be a part of MI. He’s a fantastic bowler, world-class bowler, has got a terrific record. So we are all looking forward to him joining the squad as soon as possible and giving us those early breakthroughs which will set the tone for us.
Q: #AskZakOnMI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
What are your views about Boult's addition to the bowling attack this year ?
Could he be able to fill… https://t.co/1oQs8hPseT…
- @MohanMaverick99
A: @trent_boult ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/XhD1rtmxth
- How are the team’s preparations going?
Zak: The preparations are going very nicely. Everyone is very excited. Every member of the MI Family is looking forward to going out there and defending the title. We all are very eagerly waiting for that first match. Right now all the routines are pretty much getting fine-tuned. So looking forward to that first game and the season.
Q: #AskZakOnMI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
How's the preparation of our #MI team???
Eagerly waiting to see the lifting of 5th 🏆💙#MumbaiIndians#Dream11IPL
- @NeerajPattem
A: 🇦🇪🏋🏻♂️💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/DECu4ReHZx
- How different will the experience be playing in these times? Will you miss the Paltan?
Zak: The experience this time is going to be different and yes, we will be missing our Paltan but we know our Paltan is supporting us through and through. So thank you for all the support which you have been giving us over the years.
Q: #AskZakOnMI How different will be the experience playing in these times? Will you miss the PALTAN?
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @CrewEuphonic
A: 🏟💙🥺 pic.twitter.com/vTZkS6Rswp
- Last time when MI played here they lost their initial matches. Do these things play on your mind?
Zak: Well, thank you for reminding us about the last season which we played here and how it went. Yes, it wasn’t an easy one and we had a few losses here in UAE. But we’ve accepted this as a challenge and for any team, challenges are good. This team is surely capable enough to deliver. So, we are looking forward to this challenge and changing this record for sure.
Q: @mipaltan @ImZaheer #AskZakOnMI Last time MI played here they lost the initial matches, does these things play on in the mind ?
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @NaufilZak
A: 😔2014 ➡️ 2020🤨 pic.twitter.com/YjZ3C0sqjS
- Will we see a full-fledged Zaheer in the nets this year bowling in-swingers & knuckleballs?
Zak: Well Paltan, only on demand. So if you guys want to see me bowl in the nets in practices, then give us a loud cheer, every time MI is playing out there on the field and when we’re practising and depending on how loud the roar is, I will come in the nets and bowl for you guys.
Q: #AskZakOnMI Will we see a full fledged Zak in the Nets this year bowling in-swingers & knuckle balls ? 😍
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @SaishKothawade
A: ⬅️😎➡️ pic.twitter.com/atA9D9m88F
- Pick one and answer why: Zaheer - the new ball bowler or the old ball bowler?
Zak: Zaheer, the old ball bowler and the reason is very simple. The new ball doesn’t last for that long. So you know, you’ve to live with that old ball most of the time, so I think Zaheer, the old ball bowler.
Q: .@mipaltan #AskZakOnMI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
Pick one and answer why:
Zaheer - the new ball bowler or Zaheer - the old ball bowler?
- @fast_hostile
A: 😍\!/💫 pic.twitter.com/Aqxr6BzokF
- Any specific new talent to look out from Mumbai Indians this year?
Zak: We’re keeping up with the tradition of supporting young, new talents and nurturing them. So, this year is no different. We do have some young new faces in our camp. Keep an eye and look out for them. They are just waiting for an opportunity to go out there and perform.
Q: #AskZakOnMI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
Hey Zak.....any specific new talent to look out from Mumbai Indians this year?
- @Hitesh15847879
A: 👦🏻✅💙 pic.twitter.com/l8tvoPr4BN
- The funniest person in MI Paltan?
Zak: The funniest player in MI Paltan has to be Ishan Kishan. I think he’s always up to mischiefs and playing pranks and has got this abundance of energy and is very chirpy, so good to have a character like him around in the dressing room all the time. So Ishan is right up there.
Q: Most funniest person in @mipaltan #AskZakOnMI
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 25, 2020
- @MbRohitian
A: @ishankishan51 😅😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/AcwaOaNHn9
