"Virat Kohli Should Be Credited For The Confidence With Which Mohammad Siraj Bowls In International Cricket"- Irfan Pathan 1

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that Virat Kohli should be given some credit for Mohammed Siraj’s emergence in International cricket. Pathan said that youngsters like Avesh Khan also deserve similar backing from captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid so that he gets a fair run to prove himself in the international circuit.

Avesh Khan made his international debut against West Indies last week. It didn’t turn out well for the 25-year old as he conceded 42 runs in 4 overs without taking any wicket but in the second match against Sri Lanka, he got into the groove and returned back with figures of 2/23 in his 4 overs.

Irfan Pathan (Image Credit: Twitter)
Irfan Pathan (Image Credit: Twitter)

“Avesh Khan should receive the same backing as Siraj”- Irfan Pathan

Speaking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said that getting support from your captain is important, especially on your bad days.

“Backing is very important for every player because when you play in international cricket, you have more bad days than good days,” Pathan said.

Mohammed Siraj (Photo: AP)
Mohammed Siraj (Photo: AP)

“When you have those bad days, it is important that your captain and the team management backs you. When we talk about Mohammed Siraj, Virat Kohli backed him a lot. I would go to the extent of saying that Kohli should be credited for the confidence with which Siraj bowls in international cricket. So yes, players need that backing. And I believe Avesh Khan should receive the same backing as Siraj because he has that talent,” Pathan added.

In IPL 2021, he was the second leading wicket-taker in the tournament. In 16 matches, he picked 24 wickets with an economy of 7.37. Despite the presence of international stars like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, he made his own impression in the Delhi Capitals set-up.

In the IPL mega auction 2022, Lucknow Super Giants got him with a price of 10 crores. Now he will share the dressing room with the likes of Jason Holder and Mark Wood.

India’s next white-ball assignment will be a 5-match T20I series in June against South Africa at home. Then they will travel to Ireland for 2-match T20I series, followed by 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against England in July.

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