I Was Made Old at 30; Selectors Didn’t Support Me: Irfan Pathan
May 10, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan called his day from cricket in January this year. The allrounder has revealed why he had taken this decision though he had the time to make a comeback.
In the Instagram live session with Suresh Raina, Irfan has given some controversial statements against the national selectors. Irfan is disappointed with the selectors because they never communicated with him for a comeback in the Team India.
Irfan has represented India in 29 Test matches, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20Is. He last played an international game in 2012 though he continued playing domestic cricket and IPL. He was dropped from the team because of his out of form and also failed to stand in with the competition.
Players should be given a chance till he is fit: Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan said that players in foreign nations make their debut at 30, while in India one is declared old at the same age. The allrounder believes that he would have made a comeback if selectors would have shown trust in him.
“The scenario is other countries are different. Michel Hussey made a debut at the age of 29 and he later went on to be called Mr. Cricket but in India you are old at 30. I was made old at 30, the selectors made me old. The players should be given chance till he is fit. Communication is very important. If they come and tell me ‘Irfan you have retired but you prepare for one year and you will be available for India selection’ then I will leave everything, give my heart and soul and will only do hardwork. But who will do the communication?, ” Irfan Pathan said in the live session.
Suresh Raina reveals MSK Prasad didn’t contact him
Suresh Raina also agreed with Pathan’s disappointment over selectors not rightly performing their duty. He also revealed that former chief selector MSK Prasad never communicated with him.
Interestingly, Prasad had said that he had personally spoken to Raina by calling him to his room and explaining to him the roadmap for his future comeback.
“What should I say now? It’s luck and it will happen when it has to happen but he (MSK Prasad) didn’t talk to me at all. I do have some evidence, the messages he sent me but it’s ok when my time will come I will play and if not then I have family, life and there are many other things than cricket.”
Raina, who last played for India in 2018, has played 226 ODIs, 78 T20Is and 18 Test matches, scoring 5615 ODI runs, 1605 T20I runs and 768 Test matches.