Irfan inspired by Yuvi’s comeback

[1983-2011]

After a forgettable year, courtesy injury, the all-rounder hopes to hit form with the Daredevils.

As the thousands at the Wankhede celebrated in a frenzy after Mahendra Singh Dhoni dispatched Nuwan Kulasekara over long on for a six to give India its first World Cup title in 28 years, Irfan Pathan watched the emotions unfold on a television screen. He wasn’t at the stadium but 1,400 kilometers away in his hotel room in New Delhi. For a brief while, Pathan wished he was among the 15 heroes but reality dawned on him quickly. Over the past 10 months Pathan has been on a rehabilitation drive following a back injury. On his return in February for the West Zone One-dayers, he bowled just 17 deliveries before he was rested following a stiff hamstring. It was a minor niggle but a setback nevertheless. While India overcame Pakistan in the semi-final to book their final berth, Pathan was playing a warm-up game for the Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla. As India’s heroes briefly rest their tired bodies before swapping the now iconic blue jersey and donning their Indian Premier League (IPL) team colours, Pathan will hope to shake off a forgettable year as he readies to play his first game for Delhi Daredevils on Sunday. “It is time for me to justify my talent. These past two years have been difficult for me. Over the past 10 months I have been training to recover from injury so I hardly played any cricket. It’s been frustrating but the time away from the game has also made be more determined and hungry to get back to my best. I hope to find my form again over the next couple of months. I have worked hard and done everything I can to be in the best possible shape,†Pathan said on Monday. He last played a One-day International for India over two years ago and his last International appearance in the shortest format for India was during the 2009 World Twenty20. Over the past year, the training ground and gymnasium of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore has been Pathan’s second home. “I do watch the Indian team play whenever I can but most of the time it has been on television because I have spent a lot of time in Bangalore for my training and rehabilitation. I have not switched off from cricket like some players do during injury. Even though I have not been able to play the game, I still enjoy watching the team do well. The World Cup win was fantastic,†Pathan added. Watching Yuvraj Singh win four Man of the Match awards and also being declared he player of the tournament has been inspirational for Pathan. “Yuvi went through a tough year and came back stronger. His comeback after being dropped and because of injury is something I can take inspiration from. I always believed that if Yuvi finds his form than India would be favourties to win the World Cup,†Pathan added. The 26-year-old has taken his first steps for the Delhi Daredevils during the two warm-up games in which he picked up four wickets in all. “We are playing two more warm-up games before our first match. These games have helped me find my rhythm. When you are coming back from a long layoff even the smaller games help. The more I play the better I will get. I want to find the perfect balance between being a batsman and a bowler. I am confidence that I’ll be able to get back to my best while playing for the Daredevils this season,†Pathan added. Looking back on the past two seasons, the Baroda player admits he made a few mistakes. “There were times when I trained too hard. It probably happened because I was desperate to prove myself again and play for India. But now I know my body better and know what I need to do to peak at the right time.†That the Daredevils were willing to shell out $1.9mn for Pathan show their faith in his skills. “It is a new start for me all over again and a great opportunity.â€

[vvvslaxman]

He has to talk a lot to Zaheer khan. When Irfan pathan opened the bowling for India in 2006 , Zaheer was a support bowler for Irfan. Would you believe it. Zaheer worked hard on his fitness and look where he is.

[jibranpatel15]

i realy want to see Irfan Pathan back to full colours.I just love this guys game. What i feel is he lost his place bcoz of his bowling. He came as a bowler & tried to bat & bat more & forgot his bowling. I saw him bowling around 120 only when he played last time.So his bowling needs to improve more if he is to find his place back in Indian colours. If he finds his pace back i am sure INDIA need a medium pace all rounder badly just to completely balance Indian side.i know he is far better Batsmen now but not bowler. I wish Best Of luck to Him in next 51 days & hope he remains injury free & gets his place back. :two_thumbs_up: :two_thumbs_up: :two_thumbs_up:

[Rajma Chawal]

He has to talk a lot to Zaheer khan. When Irfan pathan opened the bowling for India in 2006 ' date=' Zaheer was a support bowler for Irfan. Would you believe it. Zaheer worked hard on his fitness and look where he is.[/quote'] A county stint will do him a lot of good just like it did for Zak.

[flamy]

:yay: my boi :woot:

[Andy]

Ifan's Problem is Mental, He thinks he is doing all Right and he is Not in the side for Non Cricketing reasons. He thinks Trundling at the Pace of 120 Kmph would earn him the Tag of Left Arm McGrath. He needs to get back to 2004 when he used to have a Quick Arm action and had a natural Late Inswing for the right Handers.

[JourneyMan]

A county stint will do him a lot of good just like it did for Zak.

I've been saying this for a long time. Someone with hat-tricks against Pakistans opening order and Australia DEFINITELY has the talent to become a great bowler. Irfan needs to go to county and focus on a good hard season of bowling (batting is a side bonus, not a main priority).

[vpg0002]

Really wish Irfan Pathan comes back on track into national reckonning. He has a good chance to make it to the team as the 3rd seamer who is a very good batsman down the order.

[Prakat]

Time for Irfan to come to the party. :cheer:

[ravishingravi]

give up the victim mentality Irfan. You will get back

[Aaku]

Irfan come back sooooon :yay:

[rkt.india]

Ifan's Problem is Mental' date=' He thinks he is doing all Right and he is Not in the side for Non Cricketing reasons. He thinks Trundling at the Pace of 120 Kmph would earn him the Tag of Left Arm McGrath. He needs to get back to 2004 when he used to have a Quick Arm action and had a natural Late Inswing for the right Handers.[/quote'] I have already said it many a times and will say it again. If he has to play for India consistently he needs to concentrate more on his batting, many players have done that...he has better batting talent than bowling in my view...if he thinks he can survive as a specialist bowler than he is wrong...he is not good enough to play as a bowler only...he can bat at 7 and bowl 5-6 overs that will be good for him and Team India too...he is technically better to play fast bowlers also than Yusuf Pathan

[Hell Raiser]

If he regains his bowling form, he is a must in this Indian team. He creates a perfect balance to the team.

[ganeshran]

He needs to bowl at 130 atleast at International level. 120 just wouldnt cut it.

[pinkfreud]

Hope he gets back soon and improves his game like Zak. Having him, Zaheer, and Munna as our pace trio would do us a world of good.

[Ramzz]

County stint? Forget it...not gonna happen. With the IPL crossing paths with county cricket, we all know which he would prefer. If he really is serious about getting back his pace and place in the Indian team...he can skip a season of IPL...it will do him good. Even a stint in SA would be good. I just don't see it happening.

[Andy]

I have already said it many a times and will say it again. If he has to play for India consistently he needs to concentrate more on his batting' date=' many players have done that...he has better batting talent than bowling in my view...if he thinks he can survive as a specialist bowler than he is wrong...he is not good enough to play as a bowler only...he can bat at 7 and bowl 5-6 overs that will be good for him and Team India too...he is technically better to play fast bowlers also than Yusuf Pathan[/quote'] Wont you take an Irfan Pathan bowling in the mid 130s Swinging in Late to the Right Handers as he used to do solely as a bowler in the early years?

[rkt.india]

Wont you take an Irfan Pathan bowling in the mid 130s Swinging in Late to the Right Handers as he used to do solely as a bowler in the early years?

Do you think ball swings any more now a days except for 3-4 overs with the new ball.......he will be handy if he does that, but its not gonna happen.....More than swing, I would want him to imitate Zak..bowl at 135 K and with variations...because a swing-dependent bowler makes the team handicapped...like in the case of Praveen Kumar who also is a one trick pony.......we cannot afford so many one dimensional bowlers in 11.....and in the end, bowlers do not get swingng conditions anywhere in the world except England or to some extent SA....

[Stuge]

I really hope he does well .Indian team seriously needs his bowling .

[Andy]

Do you think ball swings any more now a days except for 3-4 overs with the new ball.......he will be handy if he does that' date=' but its not gonna happen.....More than swing, I would want him to imitate Zak..bowl at 135 K and with variations...because a swing-dependent bowler makes the team handicapped...like in the case of Praveen Kumar who also is a one trick pony.......we cannot afford so many one dimensional bowlers in 11.....and in the end, bowlers do not get swingng conditions anywhere in the world except England or to some extent SA....[/quote'] What you said is Mostly true, But its not true that Ball swings only for first 3-4 overs especially Outside SC. this days its the lack of swing bowlers that is making most of the people consider this thought. Yes he needs to Up his Pace as well. AFAIK he doesnt have much variation too, Like ZAK. he bowls one Cutter rolling his fingers over, that doesnt work much this days. He doesnt have a good slower ball and a Yorker or bouncer too. All together a Very Ordinary bowler. even giving him 5 overs can be Risk much Like shree shant.