Irfan Pathan credits hard work for his successful Ranji comeback for Baroda

Baroda all-rounder Irfan Pathan produced a stand-out bowling performance by claiming figures of 6/47 in the ongoing sixth round of the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat. However, his inspiring spell did not stop Gujarat from piling on runs against Baroda.

“Getting six wickets on a comeback for anyone is really helpful in terms of confidence and getting into the flow. It feels good,” Pathan told bcci.tv after the day’s play.

The 31-year old left arm pacers bowled miserly and finished the innings with figures of 25.2-12-47-6.  He was playing his first Ranji game this season.

“Obviously taking wickets is always very helpful in gaining confidence. I am happy about the way I bowled in my comeback match because the ball was coming out right from my hand, specially swinging both ways that really helped in that game and gave me confidence,” the 31 year old said after the match.

“The first wicket was really special for me in this game because the ball was really old and the batsmen were really set. I got Smit Patel out on 57 (with the opening stand on 119). I had set him up nicely. I thought it was important on a slow track to set the batsman up and I used my experience to do that. I set him up by away going deliveries and then after second or third over bowled the incoming delivery which trapped him in front of the wicket that was very satisfying wicket. The other wickets came well, as well,” Pathan explained how he bowled against Gujarat batsmen.

“Most of the wickets came with the old ball and it is satisfying to take wickets with the old ball because the ball was really soft and there was no reverse swing because of the ground. The ground is pretty lush and the wicket is extremely slow. It’s very satisfying when you get wickets with the old ball when there is no reverse swing and only conventional swing and the ball is old and soft. Out of six I got three were lbws which always tells me I am on the right track. That’s my forte where I get lot of lbws one was in the slip one was caught behind so out of six five were on good balls and which is satisfying,” Pathan continued.

Irfan Pathan also said that he was training and preparing himself very well for this game.

“I was working and bowling a lot in the nets. I was trying to train myself before I got the opportunity to play in this game. The good thing was, I got a lot of time to prepare myself which was really good. Luckily I was fit for a very long time before coming into the game and doing my preparations which really helped me.”

Irfan Pathan made his first-class debut in 2000/01. He has 338 first-class wickets to his credit with a best of 7/35.

After showing promise at the domestic level, Irfan Pathan made his India debut in the 2004 against Australia in Australia and impressed one and all with his ability to swing the ball both ways at considerable speed. He last played in India colours in the year 2012.