Greg Chappell did not ruin my career: Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan has put to bed the common perception that former India coach Greg Chappell had ruined his career by making technical changes to his bowling. Pathan, who cited injuries for losing his place in the Indian team, has also likened his comeback to the IPL to ‘coming back from the dead’.
Irfan Pathan’s decline in international cricket clashed with the coaching tenure of Greg Chappell in Indian cricket. Many an expert blamed Chappell’s over experimentation with Irfan’s bowling style as the reason for the latter's dwindling prowess but Irfan, himself, thinks that it was not the case.
"Nothing of that sort happened. I know
"When I was dropped from the team I was unfortunately injured. After that, making a comeback was a bit difficult. I don't blame anyone," he added.
Despite getting picked for India intermittently, Irfan could never justify his full potential again and had to be content with the IPL and domestic cricket. He even went unsold at the IPL 2017 auction, before being roped in by Gujarat Lions as a replacement for Dwayne Bravo, who was ruled out of the league with a hamstring injury.
Speaking about the late chance, the Baroda all-rounder said, “It’s like I’m coming back from the dead. It’s wonderful. When you don’t get picked it’s disappointing. Even if it’s at the halfway stage of the tournament or the fag end, it’s a really wonderful feeling to get picked. Hopefully, I will get an opportunity and play well.”
The all-rounder, though, conceded that he was pretty disappointed to not be picked at the auctions, but said that he didn’t venture outside trying to find out the reasons of being unsold.
“I would have got just answers (if I had asked others), nothing else. There is no point. Once you see what is happening, once you get the result, this is it. You need to make sure you put things behind you and I’m very clear on that. If you start asking questions, you’re doing nothing good for yourself. It’s not going to help you. You need to assess the situation in front of you and deal with it. Sometimes it’s good to actually get away from all the limelight.
“Luckily I was playing with Imran (his son) before the IPL. I had something to do back home. It’s a wonderful feeling to be a father. It would have been difficult if not for him. Obviously, my family stuck with me. Special thanks to all my fans as well, they kept pushing me and wishing for me. Somewhere or the other it helps.”
But Irfan wants to focus on the season with his new franchise and doesn’t want to look back.
“When you look back, you do wonder but sometimes you don’t have the answers. But as I said, it’s done and dusted and I’m focused on the present. At the moment, I’m really happy playing for Gujarat Lions.”
Irfan Pathan is the only bowler to take a Test hat-trick in the 1st over of a test match.
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