Irfan Pathan, one of India’s brightest all-rounders of the modern era and once tipped to be the next Kapil Dev, is optimistic of regaining his spot in the Indian team which he lost prior to the tour of the West Indies owing to a hamstring injury.
With a reputation of swinging the new ball to being a makeshift opening batsman or a handy lower-order striker of the ball in all formats of the game, the 28-year-old Baroda all-rounder put out his views on the road ahead of his career to this newspaper on Monday.
On his Test comeback: Playing in Tests is always my dream. I think my Test match comeback is not far away. I’m going to play in a lot of local tournaments in Hyderabad as well as at home before Ranji Trophy. I have set a plan and started following them.
On the goals for domestic season: I want to prove myself as an all-rounder and win matches for my state and which I feel is what is required of me to make it back into the international scene. I have always felt that an all-rounder in top form is an asset for any team.
On the pressure factor: Pressure is always there when you have played at that level. It’s a challenge that I have always looked up to. Everyone including my captain and coach were confident about my performing well and unfortunately I picked up a hamstring niggle which kept me out of action.
On his bowling and changes made: It’s important that all the altering with regards to action is carried out at a young age. Once that phase is gone by, the emphasis is on having a bowling action that is repetitive. When that happens your performance will improve over a period of time. I’m focusing on repeating whatever I have done last year in the upcoming season. It’s about mastering whatever you do and the results will show. Even before my hamstring injury I have been bowling well. The ball was coming out of my hand the way I wanted it to be.
On adjusting to different formats of the game: Having played competitive cricket for many years I don’t find it difficult adjusting to all the versions. The more matches (four, three and two day games in local setup) one gets to play the more easier it gets to handle different situations.
On your current fitness: Yes, I am fit. I was in NCA sorting out all issues related to my fitness. I will be available for selection and I will be playing all the domestic games.
On his batting: I have been working on a few different aspects of my batting. I’m looking at diversifying my range of shot making as well as hitting a long ball regularly.
Have you ever thought of being a pure batsman considering the fact that you have played as an opener in all formats of the game: Well, I have always played according to the team situation. I have never shied away from any role that was given to me. I have got a lot of years ahead of me primarily as a bowler and it’s my first job. I hope I have a great season not just with my bowling but with the bat as well since I’m focusing on both aspects of my game.
On India’s chances in the forthcoming series in South Africa: We have been playing good cricket. We won the Champions Trophy under seaming conditions. We have got to keep the momentum going after a win the Caribbean and in Zimbabwe. We will perform well in the upcoming tours since the competition within the team is good and people are playing with great energy. There is a healthy tussle going on for places in the team, which keeps the players on their toes and it benefits the team.
On Virat Kohli’s leadership skills: He is an aggressive captain. He gave a good account of himself as a leader in Zimbabwe as well in West Indies when Dhoni was injured.
On his role model: There are a few of them. Wasim Akram, Kapil Dev and V.V.S. Laxman. I admire Laxman a lot. He is a great character and one of the loveliest person whom I have come across in my career so far. As a cricketer, Laxman is the one whom I look up to as a role model.