Irfan Pathan believes that Gujarat Lions still have an outside chance to IPL glory

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who is currently playing for Suresh Raina’s Gujarat Lions in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement for the injured West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo believes that the Lions still have an outside chance to win the league. He believes that with four games to go, and if Gujarat win them, it is more certain than not that they would reach the playoff stage.

At the moment, the Gujarat Lions are struggling at the bottom of the points table at the 7th place. The Raina-led team has only won three games out of the ten that they played thus far in the IPL. It is very difficult at this stage for the Lions’, but with the firepower and the arsenal that they possess, there might still be an outside chance for them.

“We are still left with four matches. We have an ‘outside chance’ to come close to the title if we win all the remaining matches and maintain a good run rate. We are completely focussing on our remaining matches,” said Pathan in an interview with ANI.

Speaking on his bowling, he said, “My ball was getting a continuous swing in all matches I played before this season. And because of the swing, I was also getting good number of wickets. When I was ignored in the IPL auction, I got a small break from cricket. Although I was training, my bowling was less.”

He, further added that it takes time for a bowler to get into his groove and find the right rhythm going into a huge tournament like the IPL. The only good thing for the all-rounder was that he was actively involved in the domestic season where he outperformed his teammates at Baroda.

“Hopefully, I will try to improve on my game in upcoming four matches. I have worked a lot on my fitness…I think if you want to take wickets, then the bowling should be attacking. The mindset of a bowler should always be attacking. I think this is the best way to work,” he continued.

The all-rounder also rues the opportunities the Lions missed against both Mumbai Indians and the Rising Pune Supergiant to close out the matches, where they looked at in an excellent shape before giving away the game to the opposition.

Pathan also wished the Indian side best of luck for the Champions Trophy, where India will look to defend their title in England and the IPL has given a platform for the domestic players to prove their worth.

“I wish the Indian team for a good performance in the Champions Trophy. I hope whoever gets selected for the tournament performs well. It is good that the players are heading into the Champions Trophy after the IPL. I am sure they will be benefited from this and would perform in the same way they did in the last edition,” concluded Irfan.