Ishant Sharma Comparing Zaheer Khan With Anderson Leaves Twitter Divided

Indian cricket was never known for producing good pacers, however still we were lucky that we got some really good pacers such as Kapil Dev, Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan, etc. Fortunately things have changed after MRF Pace Academy came into existence and since then, we have got Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, etc.

Ishant Sharma is also one of the best Indian pacers who have represented the country at the international level and recently during an interview, Ishant made a statement which got mixed reactions. The statement was regarding former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan and English pacer Jimmy Anderson, while the former played for India from 2000 till 2014, the latter made his debut in 2002 and is still a part of the English cricket team.

immy Anderson is the first pacer to cross the 600 wickets mark in the test cricket but in Ishant Sharma’s opinion, Zaheer Khan is a better bowler than James Anderson because the former played maximum cricket on the Indian pitches which are more suitable for spinners. On the other hand, James Anderson played maximum cricket on the English soil which is conducive to pacers. 

This statement by Ishant Sharma got mixed reaction by netizens, here are some selected ones:

Ishant Sharma said, "Zaheer Khan was better than Jimmy Anderson". (On BeerBiceps YT). pic.twitter.com/QCFm35miC2

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 25, 2023

Zaheer couldn't do justice to his talent due to his frequent injuries. He even modified his action for longevity. Anderson might be lauded for still playing but he's been an ordinary bowler without support from clouds and pitch.

— Prasad Rajguru (@PrasadRajguru1) June 25, 2023

#Anderson ripened with age. With his 2000-02 pace and post-2006 brains, #Zaheer would surely have been 90% of #Anderson if not better.

— NaThing SSC (@SSC_All) June 26, 2023

Absolutely not! What is he smoking?

— Finny (@FinnysUtopia) June 25, 2023

For a fast bowler to take wickets in the sub continent pitches is a relatively tougher task compared to seamer friendly wickets of England.
That's why…

— Abhi (@Abhishek_Negi7) June 25, 2023

Skills-wise, yes.

— NaThing SSC (@SSC_All) June 26, 2023

Has to give it to Anderson’s longevity but Zaheer Khar at his peak was touch above him. Unsuitable conditions and injuries did to him but whenever he got the chance, he was amazing. Miss him 🔥

— Daanveer ↗️ (@daanveers) June 25, 2023

English Murgi Daal Barabar

— Hudda.eth (@ImHudda) June 25, 2023

Noup Anderson is Better, the way he swung the ball in India was amazing.

— SamD 🇮🇳🇺🇸 (@revisitorSam) June 26, 2023

What is your take in this regard? Do let us know.