Back again on the cricket field after almost a year long lay-off, Zaheer Khan continues to be a thorn in the flesh for opposition batsmen. The left-arm pacer single-handedly set-up the match for his team against table-toppers Chennai Super Kings in Raipur as the Delhi Daredevils look to exit the tournament on a high.

Whether it his IPL franchise or the state side or the national team, Zaheer not only keeps the opposition in check with his own bowling but also by guiding the bowling unit and leading from the front. He is seen plotting and planning the downfall of the batsmen and egging his fellow bowlers on. In the game against CSK too, while he sent back Brendon McCullum upfront and later accounted for MS Dhoni to finish with 4-1-9-2, he was instrumental in setting fields and setting the batsmen up in collusion with his fellow bowlers, eventually restricting the MS Dhoni-led side to a paltry 119. While speaking to iplt20.com after the comprehensive win, Zaheer mentioned that mentoring comes naturally to him.

The Man of the Match said that it is about sharing his experience with the others and enjoying the challenge as he works to keep himself going.

Excerpts from the interview:

What was it that worked for you today?

The wicket was a bit on the slower side, so the variations came in to play. And once I hit my rhythm and the line and length was good, it was easier to play with the field setting also. That’s what I guess worked for me today.

Bowling to an in-form Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith, what was the plan and what was your advice to Shahbaz Nadeem?

Nadeem obviously is a very good spinner and he bowls well with the new ball, so we didn’t really have a chat. Spin in not my strength. I was just focusing on my bowling today and yes, when you have Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith coming at you hard, it is not easy. They have been very consistent and have been giving CSK good starts. So it was a good challenge and I enjoyed it today.

Getting MS Dhoni out in the death overs is usually a challenge for bowlers. How did you go about it – you dismissed him first ball?

That’s the way the game goes. He is a very good batsman especially in the death overs; so you’ve just got to have a clear plan against him. Some days it works for you some days it doesn’t. Today was one of those days when it worked for me.

Does bowling to the best batsman in the opposition put additional pressure on bowlers?

Cricket is all about that. As a bowler you’ve got to enjoy that challenge of bowling to the best and getting the best out; that’s what gives you satisfaction. It’s important to keep enjoying the game.

You seem to transform bowlers in your team. How easily does mentoring and leadership come to you?

That is something which has come very naturally to me. When I had started playing I used to go up to senior bowlers and ask them (and learn) through their experiences. When people who have already played at the highest level share their experiences with you it always goes a long way. And it is something which I have been trying to continue. Whenever I feel that something can be added to someone’s armoury or if I can help someone with some advice I do that. It is up to an individual to take it if it works.

What were you telling Gurinder Sandhu?

Basically, in the last over especially, since two left-handed batsmen were batting and they were looking to give themselves room, I basically was insisting on him coming round the wicket. That was the plan.

What has been your advice to Nathan Coulter-Nile and the others? They have also spoken of benefitting from your advice.

As a bowler you understand most of it. Every individual has got a plan against particular batsmen. With my experiences, if I can add to that plan, if they buy into it and it works, it’s always good for them and good for the team as well.

Out-thinking a batsman, in what is increasingly perceived as a batsman's game, how have you worked your way to staying on top of your game?

It has always been a contest between the bat and the ball and will always be. You have to look at it as a challenge and enjoy the challenge.

Would you say the T20 format is becoming increasingly difficult for the bowlers?

Not really. As a bowler you always have to stay on top of the game. You always have to be innovative. Batters are looking to be innovative, so are the bowlers and that’s the way the game is evolving. So I think this is just the process which goes on.

How challenging has it been to make comebacks?

I had to be patient. I had to keep believing in myself that I can make a comeback. Obviously it is frustrating at times when it takes longer than normal, and in my case it took almost about a year for me to comeback. But I always had faith in my abilities and I just kept believing that and I kept working.

Every time ‘Zak is back’, he is more lethal. What should opponents expect this time?

I am just happy to be back on the field. Obviously there were a lot of doubts earlier when I was away from the game for so long, but I am glad the way I have responded. I am glad that I am back on the field and things will get better and better.

Are there any goals for the forthcoming season? How do you look forward?

The plan is to keep working on my fitness and keep adding things (to my bowling), get into the practice mode and see where things go.

What is your advice to young pacers?

Enjoy the game and play with passion is what I would say.