Zaheer Khan is a former Indian international cricketer and one of India’s most prominent fast bowlers, renowned for his ability to swing the ball both ways.
Known for his left-arm pace and control, he was a mainstay in the Indian cricket team, leading the pace attack in Tests and ODIs for much of his career.
Here we have Zaheer Khan’s net worth, earnings, career, achievements, stats, wife, and more.
Zaheer Khan’s Biography
| Full Name | Zaheer Khan |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 7, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India |
| Batting Style | Left-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Left-arm fast-medium |
| Role | Bowler |
| Debut (ODI) | October 3, 2000 |
| Debut (Test) | November 10, 2000 |
Zaheer Khan was born on October 7, 1978, in Shrirampur, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, into a Marathi Muslim family. His parents, Zakia and Bakhtiyar Khan, raised him alongside his elder brother Zeeshan and younger brother Anees.
Zaheer began his cricket training under coach Utsav Yadav and attended New Marathi Primary School, followed by K.J. Somaiyya Secondary School in Shrirampur.
He first played for the local Revenue Colony Cricket Club (RCC) before advancing his career in Pune.
Zaheer Khan’s Career
Zaheer Khan’s career spanned from 2000 to 2014 in Tests and till 2015 in ODIs. Known for his ability to generate reverse swing, he became a key player for India, particularly in the early 2000s.
Zaheer’s breakthrough performances came during the 2003 World Cup, where his speed and control made him one of the tournament’s most successful bowlers. His efforts helped India reach the final, marking his rise as India’s pace spearhead.
Throughout his career, Zaheer was instrumental in India’s victories overseas, especially in England and Australia. One of his most notable performances came during India’s tour of England in 2007, where his wicket-taking ability helped India secure a historic Test series win.
By 2011, he led India’s bowling attack in the ICC Cricket World Cup, and his 21 wickets played a vital role in India’s World Cup-winning campaign.
Zaheer ended his career with impressive statistics, finishing with 311 Test wickets and 282 ODI wickets.
His exceptional reverse-swing skills, particularly with the old ball, and his bowling partnerships made him a formidable force in international cricket. He retired from international cricket in 2015, leaving a legacy as one of India’s finest pace bowlers.
Records and Achievements
- 311 wickets in Test matches, making him one of India’s highest wicket-takers.
- 2007 ICC World Twenty20: Part of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup.
- 21 wickets in the 2011 ICC World Cup, finishing as one of the tournament’s highest wicket-takers.
- Key player in India’s 2007 Test series win in England, achieving significant milestones and awards.
Zaheer Khan’s Wife
On April 24, 2017, Zaheer Khan announced his engagement to actress Sagarika Ghatge via his Twitter account. The couple married on November 23, 2017.
Zaheer Khan’s wife, Sagarika Ghatge, is an Indian actress and model, best known for her role as Preeti Sabharwal in the popular Bollywood film Chak De! India.
Born on January 8, 1986, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Sagarika comes from a royal lineage, as her family has ties to the Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur. She attended the Mayo College Girls’ School in Ajmer and later pursued a career in acting and modeling.
After her debut in Chak De! India, Sagarika appeared in films like Fox, Rush, and Irada. She has also participated in reality television, competing in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6. Sagarika and Zaheer’s engagement in April 2017 caught the media’s attention, and the couple married later that year in November.
Zaheer Khan’s Net Worth Details
Zaheer Khan’s net worth is estimated to be $25 million as of 2025, largely accumulated from his cricket career, endorsements, and other business ventures.
His earnings included contracts with the BCCI, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and personal sponsorships.
During his IPL career, Zaheer was a part of teams like the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils, securing lucrative contracts in each season.
Salary
As a player, Zaheer Khan’s earnings came from his central contract with the BCCI, match fees, and his IPL contracts, which earned him significant annual incomes.
His contract amounts varied over the years with his BCCI retainers and IPL team salaries.
Earnings
| Year | BCCI Salary (INR) | IPL Salary (INR) | Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 Crores | 4 Crores (RCB) | 6 Crores |
| 2014 | 2 Crores | 2.6 Crores (MI) | 4.6 Crores |
| 2015 | 1.5 Crores | 4 Crores (DD) | 5.5 Crores |
| 2016 | – | 4 Crores (DD) | 4 Crores |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $22 Million |
| 2021 | $23 Million |
| 2022 | $24 Million |
| 2023 | $24.5 Million |
| 2024 | $25 Million |
Endorsements
Zaheer Khan endorsed multiple brands throughout his career, including Nike, Pepsi, and Procam International. These endorsements contributed significantly to his earnings, and he continues to engage in business ventures post-retirement.
Stats
| Competition | Test | ODI | FC | LA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 92 | 200 | 169 | 253 |
| Runs scored | 1,231 | 792 | 2,489 | 1,047 |
| Batting average | 11.94 | 12.00 | 13.60 | 12.17 |
| 100s/50s | 0/3 | 0/0 | 0/5 | 0/0 |
| Top score | 75 | 34* | 75 | 43 |
| Balls bowled | 18,785 | 10,097 | 34,279 | 12,745 |
| Wickets | 311 | 282 | 672 | 357 |
| Bowling average | 32.95 | 29.44 | 27.97 | 29.07 |
| 5 wickets in innings | 11 | 1 | 35 | 1 |
| 10 wickets in match | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Best bowling | 7/87 | 5/42 | 9/138 | 5/42 |
| Catches/stumpings | 19/– | 43/– | 46/– | 57/– |
FAQs
1. Who is Zaheer Khan and what are his major achievements in cricket?
Zaheer Khan is a former Indian cricketer, born on October 7, 1978, in Maharashtra. Renowned for his left-arm fast-medium bowling, he played for India from 2000 to 2014 across all formats. He took 311 Test wickets and 282 ODI wickets, making him one of India’s most successful bowlers. Notably, he was a key player in India’s 2011 ICC World Cup victory, taking 21 wickets in the tournament. He also received the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Padma Shri in 2020.
2. What is Zaheer Khan’s role in Indian cricket history?
Zaheer Khan is regarded as one of India’s greatest fast bowlers, second only to Kapil Dev among Indian pacers in Test cricket. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and reverse swing with the old ball, he played a pivotal role in elevating India’s pace attack during his career. His tactical brilliance and leadership helped India achieve milestones like the No. 1 Test ranking and the 2011 World Cup win.
3. What were Zaheer Khan’s career statistics?
Zaheer played 92 Tests, taking 311 wickets at an average of 32.94, including 11 five-wicket hauls. In ODIs, he claimed 282 wickets from 200 matches at an average of 29.43. He also played 17 T20Is, taking 17 wickets. Across all formats, he amassed a total of 610 international wickets.
4. What was Zaheer Khan’s contribution to the IPL?
Zaheer had a successful IPL career, playing for teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). He captained Delhi Daredevils in 2016 and became the eighth Indian bowler to take 100 IPL wickets during the tournament.
5. Why did Zaheer Khan retire from international cricket?
Zaheer retired from international cricket in October 2015 due to recurring injuries that hindered his performance and physical fitness. Despite his desire to continue playing, he acknowledged that his body could no longer handle the rigors of professional cricket after nearly two decades.
6. What records did Zaheer Khan achieve during his career?
Zaheer held several records, including being the leading Indian wicket-taker in World Cups with 44 scalps and dismissing top left-handed batsmen like Graeme Smith and Kumar Sangakkara over ten times each in international cricket. He also held the record for the highest Test score by a No. 11 batsman (75 runs) for several years.
7. What is Zaheer Khan’s role post-retirement?
Post-retirement, Zaheer founded ProSport Fitness & Services, a rehabilitation and training center for athletes. He also serves as a mentor for IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and has been involved in nurturing young talent through coaching and mentoring roles.
8. Which domestic teams did Zaheer Khan play for?
Zaheer started his domestic career with Baroda before moving to Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy circuit. Internationally, he played county cricket for Worcestershire in England, where he took ten wickets on debut—a rare feat.
9. What were some memorable moments from Zaheer Khan’s career?
Some highlights include his five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge during India’s historic Test win against England in 2007 and his stellar performance in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka. His “Jelly Beans” incident-inspired spell at Nottingham remains iconic.
10. What is Zaheer Khan’s legacy in Indian cricket?
Zaheer’s legacy lies in transforming India’s pace attack into a formidable force globally. His mentorship of younger bowlers and tactical acumen made him an invaluable asset to Indian cricket. MS Dhoni once likened him to Sachin Tendulkar for India’s bowling department due to his pivotal contributions.
