Despite his impressive performance at the international level, speedster Zaheer Khan has gone back to his coaching school to hone his skills.
Zaheer, who played a pivotal role in India's progress to the final of the World Cup in South Africa, is training at the MRF Pace Academy under the legendary Dennis Lillee of Australia.
"I have come here because the MRF Pace Foundation has the best of facilities and it is a good opportunity to further my skills under Dennis," the left-arm seamer said.
"I cannot live on my past performances. I have to keep improving and perform well consistently.
"It is a good opportunity for me to be back at the MRF academy, where I have spent time since 1998. Such visits always helps in fine-tuning skills."
However, he stressed that more than bowling skills, he is at the academy to improve his fitness.
"I am here basically to work on my fitness. I am working towards peaking in my career. Fitness is very important. If I get some advice from Dennis it will help me perform better," he said, adding he is looking forward to the New Zealand series at home in October-November.
Asked whether the sting in the Indian bowling attack would be lost after the retirement of Javagal Srinath, he said, "We hope that he does not retire immediately. If he does so we have to maintain the standards set by Srinath, who has played for a long time. We are keeping our fingers crossed."
Zaheer said his previous experience at the MRF Academy had been very good and that's why he returned to practice during the off-season.
"I am concentrating on strength training during off season, which will help me be in peak condition by the time the Kiwis arrive."
