Nehra Has Shown That Anyone Can Make A Comeback: Irfan Pathan

Jan 9, 2019 at 3:57 PM

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Nehra Has Shown That Anyone Can Make A Comeback: Irfan Pathan

More than the form, it is the lack of opportunities that should be blamed for Irfan Pathan playing last international game for India way back in 2012. Some would debate that his pace has dropped and fitness is also not up to International level, but the discarded Indian player is still hoping for a comeback, as he backs his case with comeback of Ashish Nehra, whom he believes has shown that anyone can make a comeback regardless of age,

“He has been a wonderful warrior. He has done very well to make a comeback at this age and shows anyone can do it. I am not that old and I am working hard and my fitness is very good now. I want to improve my fielding but I am not thinking ahead of myself,” Irfan Pathan told the The Hindu.

(Read Here: Mohammad Hafeez reported for suspected action)

Irfan Pathan | Indian cricket team |
Irfan Pathan made his international appearance against Australia in 2003 at Adelaide. Photo Credit: Web

Irfan Pathan was once a prime all-rounder for the Indian cricket team, and it is no surprise that current prime all-rounder, i.e. Hardik Pandya has also emerged out of Baroda, where he played under the captaincy of Irfan Pathan only.

Pathan also believes that it is unfair to him to forget his career numbers, where he has scalped more than 300 wickets and scored 3000 runs at international level,

“Talking about career going down, people expected me to take 500 international wickets. Expectations can be anything. But I think it is unfair to dismiss 300 international wickets and 3000 runs I have made,” he added.

Irfan Pathan | Yusuf Pathan | IPL |
Irfan Pathan with brother Yusuf Pathan during IPL

Irfan Pathan was recently appointed as the captain of Baroda Ranji Trophy team, and the skipper has had mixed results in two games. Before the Ranji season, he led Baroda to the semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well and showed his prowess as a captain.

The skipper would be vying to emulate his success in the first-class tournament as well, where Baroda have experienced players in their ranks. Irfan would also be looking to get consistent chances in IPL as in past three seasons; he has played just five IPL games. The all-rounder was benched for a complete season of IPL in 2015, where he was a part of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.

Irfan Pathan | Gujarat Lions | IPL |
Irfan Pathan during Gujarat Lions’s practice session.

(Read Here: Not Virat Kohli, Steven Smith is the highest paid captain)

 In IPL 2016, he was part of newly formed Rising Pune Supergiant and again, he played just four games. The biggest surprise came when he went unsold in the IPL auction 2017 but was later signed by Suresh Raina led Gujarat Lions as a replacement for injured Dwayne Bravo. His only IPL appearance in 2017 came against Mumbai Indians. From then, Gujarat Lions also benched the experienced player, and Irfan did not get a chance.

This season is surely a way for Irfan to show that he can be a major contributor to IPL franchises as well as the 32-year-old payer is working hard on his fitness, which is now the first parameter to get a place in the Indian team.

(Read Here: Every team lacks an AB de Villiers: Mashrafe Mortaza)

(Read Here: David Warner reveals why he asked Rohit Sharma to speak in English)

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