I can be a good all-rounder: Irfan Pathan

[DesiChap]

Irfan Pathan has made a triumphant return to Test cricket, hitting his maiden century against Pakistan in Bangalore. However, with the Indian bowling attack looking a bit sketchy as the team prepares to fly to Australia, it's his bowling that India need more than his batting. The talented all-rounder spoke to TOI on Friday about his Bangalore knock, his bowling, the Australian tour and many other topics. Excerpts from the interview: Do you consider yourself an all-rounder after your maiden Test century against Pakistan? I believe that I can be a good all-rounder, but I'm essentially a bowler who can bat. I'm happy to be able to contribute with the bat. At the end of the day, if you have scored runs for your team, it helps your bowling to a great extent. I'm grateful to God for giving me the chance to score that hundred against Pakistan. I really cherished the moment. An all-rounder takes wickets and scores runs regularly, so it is important to be consistent with the bat. As of now, I have to work harder on my batting to be called an all-rounder. Did the thought of scoring a century come to your mind when you went in to bat? No one can plan a century. When I came to the crease, my objective was to play straight and rotate the strike. I was fortunate to have Dada (Sourav Ganguly) at the other end; he was very helpful. When I was batting on 60, Dada told me that I could get my first Test century if I continued the good work. I didn't try anything extra; I just played according to the merit of the ball. How confident are you as a bowler now? I'm a very confident bowler now. The results might not show that, but I know for sure that I'm bowling well. If I'm able to continue the good work, the wickets will come. It is important to know your strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your limitations, you are in a good position to analyse your action. I am grateful to God that I have been able to come back strongly and with more determination. My One-day form has helped my cause. Now, I have come to a stage in my life where I don't want to look back. Did you feel that you would be recalled to the Test team during the Pakistan series? Though I was not a part of the team for the first two Tests, I was confident of getting a call. I'm thankful to the selectors for giving me the opportunity. You were the highest wicket-taker for India during the last ODI series in Australia. How good is your preparation this time? You can say that I grew up in international cricket in Australia. I was just 18 or so when I was picked to play for India. I didn't know too many things about international cricket and that series helped me understand the nuances of bowling at the highest level. That way, I know how the Australian wickets will behave and I'm prepared to give my 100 per cent. As I have said before, I'm confident about my bowling. In Australia, I just need to pitch the ball in the right areas. Injury worries have haunted the Indian team for some time. What is your take on this issue? If you are playing at the highest level, you are bound to get injured. Show me a bowler who doesn't get injured. It happens to everyone. But if you take good care of your body, you are bound to come out of injury quickly. Above all, you have to remain positive and follow the recovery chart properly to overcome injury. The Indian team's support staff takes good care of all the pace bowlers by monitoring the fitness chart of each player. Even when one is not in the team, there is a fitness chart to follow. In case of injury, the board's doctors are involved and there is help from every possible quarter. Zaheer Khan and RP Singh are returning to the team post-injury. Does that put extra pressure on you as a bowler? You are bound to be under pressure when you don't have control over things. Fortunately, I don't face such pressure. It's a known fact that if you are an international player, you are expected to perform every day and there is no way out. Right now, I feel that I'm bowling within myself and things are under control; there is no pressure on me as such. I know my job is to fit into the team's scheme of things and if I'm able to contribute, it will be most satisfying. How helpful is Venkatesh Prasad as a bowling coach? He is of great help, not just to me, but to everyone in the team. He boosts our confidence every time we take the field. Most importantly, he has played a lot of cricket for India and his knowledge is very useful. He analyses everyone and discusses nitty-gritty with the bowlers. We are glad to have someone like him with the team. Do you think India have a chance of conquering Australia in their backyard? We have a balanced team. Our batting is strong and our bowlers are capable of taking 20 wickets. Which Australian batsman poses the greatest threat to you? All the Australian batsmen are aggressive. I enjoy playing against them and there is no particular batsman I see as a threat. Does the Kookaburra ball suit your bowling? When it is new, the Kookaburra ball swings more than then SG ball. But you need the right grip and technique to move the ball effectively. http://cricket.indiatimes.com/I_can_be_a_good_all-rounder_Irfan_Pathan/articleshow/2623356.cms

[coffee_rules]

Finally, he said the A-word!!!

[Online]

the statement is gramatically correct but otherwise makes no sense whatsoever.

[Ram]

Irfan has been stressing on his batting off late with the press. Even after the 100, he made it a point to aver to how he was in good form with the bat in domestic cricket and all that blah blah. Mr.Pathan is hoping somehow the team management is impressed by his batting skills and include him. That should not be the case. Pathan's primary role is a bowler, he needs to take wickets. Utility players hardly play a role in test cricket. Test cricket is a specialists' game. There is no point in including Pathan in the team for his batting. By not bowling well, he has harming the team more, and no amount of runs he scores will be of any help. I am not tending to suggest he is bowling badly, he looked ok, but still, there needs to be more in the wicket column Having said that, I am pretty sure they will play in the first test atleast. The management wont risk playing a rookie in the first test of Aus series.