Irfan confident of swinging back into contention

[Guest prince]

Irfan Pathan is not just optimistic about making a comeback to the India team; he is confident he will be back. It has been two weeks since he resumed bowling, as he recovers from a stress reaction in his back that kept him out of the Ranji Trophy, and, more importantly, India's list of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. Despite being ignored, Irfan remains undaunted. "I have that confidence because I have started bowling and I see it [the ball] is doing something,' Irfan told ESPNcricinfo. "I am working on something that was missing over the last two years. I am pretty sure it is going to make a big difference. If you look at my age, I am just 26. There are lots of years left in my bag." He is thrilled his brother Yusuf has made the 30-strong squad, saying it was great news for the family that "if one Pathan brother is not there, another one is there". He described Yusuf's match-winning innings of 123 in the fourth ODI against New Zealand as "one of the best innings played by any cricketer". Irfan said he is about 20 or 30 days away from being ready to play a competitive game and is willing to play cricket outside the country if he gets an offer, but is keen on playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic one-day tournament that will be held in February, strangely, at the same time as the World Cup. "I want to make sure I make an impact in that," he said. The injury, he admits, has been particularly frustrating, coming as it does before a World Cup at home. But he accepts injuries are a part of a cricketer's life and believes he has coped with the situation well. "I knew because of my injury [i would not make the squad]. I need to first sort it [the injury] out. To be fit, and then match-fit. The BCCI knows about my injury. And I knew that if I have not played any matches due to injury, it will be difficult to get into the 30. By the time I play, it will be January-end and the World Cup is in February. I won't be match-fit, and you have to be playing matches to be picked." One thing that has kept his spirits up is the support he has received not just from his friends and family, but from the BCCI itself. "They have really looked after me. They sent me to Australia, and done all the check-ups. They have been really helpful. The National Cricket Academy has also been really helpful. Physios and trainers looked after me really well. That means I am still in the frame." He expects to receive his certificate of fitness from the board by the end of next month and his voice conveys a definite sense of excitement and confidence as he talks about planning a couple of bowling sessions with his long-time coach, TA Sekhar to help him nail down his old form once he is fully fit. Irfan, who last played a Test for India in 2008, believes he was losing his height in his delivery stride, and has modified his workout so that he has a more stable core, allowing him to keep his shape better. He disagrees with those who claim he needs to develop more pace, saying he was never an out-and-out quick. His strength has always been his ability to shape the ball and his record proves his effectiveness. "Batsmen are not my relatives, that they have just given me wickets." At the same time, he is focused on getting his zip back and his pace up to around 132 kph - his normal speed. "People keep quiet once you start performing. I never run away from criticism. It is always going to be there. But I am pretty confident I am going to change all the talk." He does not believe he has anything to prove anymore but just wants to go back to being a kid who enjoys playing cricket for India, be it Twenty20 games or Test cricket. To do so he has even given up on his favourite indulgence - food - to make sure he isn't overweight when he starts playing again. "I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't go to night clubs all the time and enjoy parties. But I love food. I am a foodie. I like going to restaurants with music where I can talk to my friends. But now I am not eating too much. I am eating healthy and I feel light, I feel strong." http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/493558.html

Hopefully he will play in vijay hazare trophy and IPL then maybe get a contract from one of the counties in England. He would be confident of making a comeback if you look at the performance of Indian bowlers.

[saneindian]

Needs a season in county cricket before the tour of WI and England. WIll make him a better bowler for sure.

[Gunner_Mania]

Needs a season in county cricket before the tour of WI and England. WIll make him a better bowler for sure.

if you expect him to get a decent county season in than you can write off another year. The county season doesnt start untill April next year - when the IPL carrot will be around - and after that India's tour of England. so there is no way he is going to have a season of county before the England tour. I dont even think some of our bowlers think about the counties as an option to improve their bowling. Its not their first choice.they are happy bowling on the Indian pattas or the NCA.

[Guest prince]

if you expect him to get a decent county season in than you can write off another year. The county season doesnt start untill April next year - when the IPL carrot will be around - and after that India's tour of England. so there is no way he is going to have a season of county before the England tour. I dont even think some of our bowlers think about the counties as an option to improve their bowling. Its not their first choice.they are happy bowling on the Indian pattas or the NCA.

BCCI Contracted players are banned from taking part in county Cricket for the past two years. Munaf Patel had a chance two years ago but he was contracted. Last year Yusuf Pathan had a chance to play in T20 tournament in England but again he was also contracted. Irfan is not contracted now so he may have a chance of playing in county cricket. He played county cricket few years back so he may have chance of landing a contract again due to his allround ability.

[rkt.india]

if you expect him to get a decent county season in than you can write off another year. The county season doesnt start untill April next year - when the IPL carrot will be around - and after that India's tour of England. so there is no way he is going to have a season of county before the England tour. I dont even think some of our bowlers think about the counties as an option to improve their bowling. Its not their first choice.they are happy bowling on the Indian pattas or the NCA.

They are most happy bowling 4 overs in IPL:winky::haha::--D

[vishalvirsingh]

very difficult for Pace ALl rounders to make a comeback as PACE requires fitness and INdians do not improve their fitness as they grow old, Spinners can make a comeback at any stage, ZAK is 33or 34 or so ( correct me if i am wrong) and he misses more matches than he Plays becos of his fitness and I feel he may retire after the world Cup.. He may retire before DRavid, VVS and Sachin. irfan says He is 26 ( that means he wud be 29 or 30) i feel he is kinda down the HILL as his pace will not come up and hence he will not be picked...Vishal

[vishalvirsingh]

BCCI Contracted players are banned from taking part in county Cricket for the past two years. Munaf Patel had a chance two years ago but he was contracted. Last year Yusuf Pathan had a chance to play in T20 tournament in England but again he was also contracted. Irfan is not contracted now so he may have a chance of playing in county cricket. He played county cricket few years back so he may have chance of landing a contract again due to his allround ability.

Dear Prince , Why do u keep MUNAF in your introduction Picture...??? Are u really a MUNAF Fan and r u really for him even today.. where as u know that he bowled at 146K against england and since then he does not even bowl at 126K now... he holds the record of bring down his pace at a most super fast rate...( correct me if i Am wrong) Vishal

[saneindian]

if you expect him to get a decent county season in than you can write off another year. The county season doesnt start untill April next year - when the IPL carrot will be around - and after that India's tour of England. so there is no way he is going to have a season of county before the England tour. I dont even think some of our bowlers think about the counties as an option to improve their bowling. Its not their first choice.they are happy bowling on the Indian pattas or the NCA.

IPL ends on June 2nd or 3rd. He will miss the early part of county season, but can definitely look for a short term contract while we are tuoring WI. England tour starts from 15th July IMO. It won't hurt Irfan if he is playing county cricket around the same time when we are touring. Problem is will the BCI allow him to play county cricket? Moreover will any county offer him a contract?

[Guest prince]

Dear Prince , Why do u keep MUNAF in your introduction Picture...??? Are u really a MUNAF Fan and r u really for him even today.. where as u know that he bowled at 146K against england and since then he does not even bowl at 126K now... he holds the record of bring down his pace at a most super fast rate...( correct me if i Am wrong) Vishal

It's all about line and length, and tight bowling now from Munna:winky: Hopefully he will be part of the world cup squad as he's very good defensive and economical bowler, and excellent first change bowler in ODI. I don't why most of the Indians are obsessed with pace?

[Gunner_Mania]

IPL ends on June 2nd or 3rd. He will miss the early part of county season, but can definitely look for a short term contract while we are tuoring WI. England tour starts from 15th July IMO. It won't hurt Irfan if he is playing county cricket around the same time when we are touring. Problem is will the BCI allow him to play county cricket? Moreover will any county offer him a contract?

Agreed. Will BCCI allow him, will he want to go, will a county take him in on short term - probably they might for a T20. All million dollar questions. I would be surpried if the answer for any of that question is a yes.

[Laaloo]

Irfan confident of swinging back into contention Irfan Pathan is not optimistic about making a comeback to the India team; he is confident he will be back. It has been two weeks since he resumed bowling, as he recovers from a stress reaction in his back that kept him out of the Ranji Trophy, and, more importantly, India's list of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. Despite not making the squad, Irfan remains undaunted. "I have that confidence because I have started bowling and I see it [the ball] is doing something,' Irfan told ESPNcricinfo. "I am working on something that was missing over the last two years. I am pretty sure it is going to make a big difference. If you look at my age, I am just 26. There are lots of years left in my bag." He is thrilled his brother Yusuf has made the 30-strong squad, saying it was great news for the family that "if one Pathan brother is not there, another one is there". He described Yusuf's match-winning innings of 123 in the fourth ODI against New Zealand as "one of the best innings played by any cricketer". Irfan said he is about 20 or 30 days away from being ready to play a competitive game and is willing to play cricket outside the country if he gets an offer. His goal, however, is to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic one-day tournament that will be held in February, strangely, at the same time as the World Cup. "I want to make sure I make an impact in that," he said. The injury, he admits, has been particularly frustrating, coming as it does before a World Cup at home. But he accepts injuries are a part of a cricketer's life and believes he has coped with the situation well. "I knew because of my injury [i would not make the squad]. I need to first sort it [the injury] out. To be fit, and then match-fit. The BCCI knows about my injury. And I knew that if I have not played any matches due to injury, it will be difficult to get into the 30. By the time I play, it will be January-end and the World Cup is in February. I won't be match-fit, and you have to be playing matches to be picked." One thing that has kept his spirits up is the support he has received not just from his friends and family, but from the BCCI itself. "They have really looked after me. They sent me to Australia, and done all the check-ups. They have been really helpful. The National Cricket Academy has also been really helpful. Physios and trainers looked after me really well. That means I am still in the frame." He expects to receive his certificate of fitness from the board by the end of next month and his voice conveys a definite sense of excitement and confidence as he talks about planning a couple of bowling sessions with his long-time coach, TA Sekhar to help him nail down his old form once he is fully fit. Irfan, who last played a Test for India in 2008, believes he was losing his height in his delivery stride, and has modified his workout so that he has a more stable core, allowing him to keep his shape better. He disagrees with those who claim he needs to develop more pace, saying he was never an out-and-out quick. His strength has always been his ability to shape the ball and his record proves his effectiveness. "Batsmen are not my relatives, that they have just given me wickets." At the same time, he is focused on getting his zip back and his pace up to around 132 kph - his normal speed. "People keep quiet once you start performing. I never run away from criticism. It is always going to be there. But I am pretty confident I am going to change all the talk." He does not believe he has anything to prove anymore but just wants to go back to being a kid who enjoys playing cricket for India, be it Twenty20 games or Test cricket. To do so he has even given up on his favourite indulgence - food - to make sure he isn't overweight when he starts playing again. "I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't go to night clubs all the time and enjoy parties. But I love food. I am a foodie. I like going to restaurants with music where I can talk to my friends. But now I am not eating too much. I am eating healthy and I feel light, I feel strong." http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/493558.html

[ShahidAfridi]

132 mph swing demon on India's hands Jesus christ, Save the world

[gs]

Irfan, a little less talking and little more performance would serve you and your career well.

[Online]

132 mph swing demon on India's hands Jesus christ, Save the world

that would be sweet :yay:

[Guest prince]

already posted

[msb1991]

C'mon Irfan, work hard and work your way back into the side. Most people have given up faith, but I have not. He had an exceptional Ranji Trophy season last year and hopefully he will continue to do well domestically when he returns from injury.

[Ram]

If ever people need a reminder that talent never really goes away, all they need to do to is to look at Sehwag’s return to the side post 2008. Irfan is without a doubt, one of the exceptional talents to come out of Indian cricket in the last 20-25 years. We would be do ourselves a great disservice by not doing everything within our means to make sure he comes back.

[nballa]

we already have a spinner in the side.

[pensionplan]

Irfan is without a doubt, one of the exceptional talents to come out of Indian cricket in the last 20-25 years. We would be do ourselves a great disservice by not doing everything within our means to make sure he comes back.

Really? What is so exceptional about his talent that you see. When I take Bangladesh/Zimbabwe out of the equation he averages a cool 46 with the ball per wicket taken in 25 Tests. I am sure that would be the absolute worst for a player that have played primarily as bowler for India in a minimum of 25 Tests that averages that high per wicket. If at all there is a minnow basher Irfan Pathan is it. He would be the poster boy. In 4 total tests versus the BD/Zim he has 39 wickets at less than 12 runs per wicket. I do not see any exceptional talent based on these above numbers and importantly from what I have seen of him. Yet the obsession with Irfan Pathan continues. More hype than substance.

[Ram]

Really? What is so exceptional about his talent that you see. When I take Bangladesh/Zimbabwe out of the equation he averages a cool 46 with the ball per wicket taken in 25 Tests. I am sure that would be the absolute worst for a player that have played primarily as bowler for India in a minimum of 25 Tests that averages that high per wicket.If at all there is a minnow basher Irfan Pathan is it. He would be the poster boy. In 4 total tests versus the BD/Zim he has 39 wickets at less than 12 runs per wicket. I do not see any exceptional talent based on these above numbers and importantly from what I have seen of him. Yet the obsession with Irfan Pathan continues. More hype than substance.

What sort of BS logic is this? ‘Take this out, put this in and so and so career looks only so and so..’. ‘What were those matches that Irfan played against B’desh and Zim? U-12? Those were international matches against international teams. There were other Indian bowlers who played those matches as well. They didn’t take the wickets, he did. That is the bottom-line fact.