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One of the coolest pace bowlers I know. He was a bowler who could outthink the batsman most of the times. Always ready for a challenge, I am sure he will do well as he begins a new chapter in his life. Wishing ZAK all success in his retired life. — Sachin Tendulkar

Well done ZAK on a fantastic career. without U it wd hve been very difficult to achieve what the ICT did. most clever fast bowler I know... Life has just started now, U still can and definitely will contribute a lot to Indian Cricket. wish U all the success. — M.S. Dhoni

“To a great fast bowler & an even greater person, I wish you luck in all future endeavours. You have inspired many like me,” he said. — Virat Kohli

His contribution to Indian cricket is immense. Always a wicket-taking bowler and it was a pleasure to watch him bowl those dream spells. Zak was a match-winner not just with the conventional swing bowling but equally effective with the reverse swing too. — V.V.S. Laxman

Wonderful to have played with you Zak. great bowler great skill! Best wishes for the future. — Anil Kumble

He was a mentally very strong bowler and knew how to perform in international cricket. He was fair to himself and the game by deciding to quit. He was a pillar of strength in India’s fast bowling and served the team exceptionally well on unhelpful tracks, especially in the sub-continent. He was a complete bowler and I feel he can become an ideal bowling coach. — Aashish Nehra

First impressions: I saw him at the KSCA Diamond Jubilee tournament here in 1999 and 2000. He was playing for MRF and I for Indian Airlines. He did extremely well against us. I told the then-chairman of selectors, Chandu Borde, that we had to pick him for the Indian team. He was the best talent that we had at the time and he had all the qualities. He didn’t disappoint anybody from there on.

His bowling: He had a great action, good attitude. Had he taken care of his body, he would probably have got another 100 wickets easily. He made a real difference to India. Left-armers are always special. Anybody who’s bowling at that speed — 140 kph — will always come in handy. But Zaheer also had the capacity to bring the ball in, which made him very special.

Collective performance: World Cup in 2003 was the first time we used technology. That was the first time three or four fast bowlers sat together, watched videos, decided what line and length we had to bowl. That was the first time all the strategies fell in place for us. The results proved that until the final. — Javagal Srinath

Zak ur a king Bud! Loved playing with and against u! Congrats on a marvellous career, always a favorite of mine! — Dale Steyn

My go-to man. Perfect gentleman. Big Brother. And a legend in his own right. Good luck for your new innings. — Suresh Raina.

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Mum, Dad, I hope I have made you proud: Kallis


Durban: Jacques Kallis Monday paid handsome tributes to his late parents for all the support they gave to make him a cricketer and hoped he did them proud.

Kallis, who retired from Test cricket as South Africa wrapped up the two-match series 1-0 against India, also said he was fortunate to have some great coaches.

"I`ve been fortunate to have had great coaches throughout the career, my friends and family have put up with me being away, will be nice to catch up with them. So many people to thank. Two of the most important people, who aren`t there, so `Mum, Dad I hope I`ve made you proud`," said Kallis.

Kallis, 38, said it was a tough decision for him to retire from Tests.

"Tough call (to retire from Tests). It`s been incredible, the way people have come out to support me, the way CSA and my team-mates have made it a special game. I still had the same butterflies ahead of this game, thanks to MS (Dhoni) and the team for the guard of honour, I was glad I didn`t face the next ball then," he said.

South African ODI captain AB de Villiers, who was adjudged Man of the Series, said he was lucky to have played in Kallis` last Test.

"I consider myself very lucky to have played in Kallis` last Test, very special to walk around the ground and think of all those memories. He`s been a rock to this team," he said