Irfan Pathan recalls the time when Tendulkar praised him in the nets

Veteran Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan is renowned as one of the better all-rounders the Indian team has produced in the recent decades. The rise of Irfan to the helm of Indian cricket was a success story in itself. He started off as a tormenting pacer and soon transformed into a match winning all-rounder for the Indian team.

However, a couple of blips in form saw him lose to his spot in the national side. Recently, as per the quotes in the Indian Express, Irfan Pathan recalled the time when he had made it to the Indian side. He recalled how the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman showered praises on him after the net sessions.

“Sachin (Tendulkar) paji would say I’ve never seen a swing bowler like you. (VVS) Laxman bhai would say facing you in the nets for me means apne ghutne sambhalna (protecting my knees). I once inadvertently shut the door in Canberra without noticing that Steve Waugh was right behind me. When I then held it open and said ‘sorry for the trouble’ he replied ‘you’ve troubled me enough on the field, stop troubling me here’ and laughed,” Irfan Pathan recalled.

On the impact he had for the team

Speaking further on the same note, Irfan Pathan reflected back in time and cited that his spell with the new ball often changed the dynamics of the game. He noted that he used to dismiss attacking openers and that used to have a lasting impression on the game in India’s favor.

“My greatest impact as a bowler was with the new-ball when I was invariably the guy providing that first breakthrough. I was knocking out say a Sanath Jayasuriya or a Adam Gilchrist in my first spell and therefore affecting the entire dynamics of the match. But you can’t be bowling the same full length required for swing as a first-change bowler,” Irfan noted.

On being bullied

Interestingly, Irfan Pathan also revealed that there were a few jealous members in the side who were not happy to his rise in the Indian cricket. When he was promoted to bat at number 3, “Isko kyun? Mujhe bhejo” the player shouted while not letting go of the chokehold on a surprised Irfan. “Why do you get so much attention? Tuh toh itna badsoorat hai (You are so ugly),” the player had said to Irfan in another incidence.

On Hardik Pandya

In the recent times, another player from Baroda is witnessing a similar rise – Hardik Pandya. Commenting on Hardik, Irfan pointed out that he was promoted in the batting order after he had established himself in the side. On the other hand, Hardik got the promotion a little earlier than expected. However, he added that everything will be fine for Hardik if he gets the support of his captain and the coach.

“It didn’t happen straightaway in my case like it has with Hardik. It was only after some time that the team management and Greg Chappell decided to promote me in the order. By then I had a few years of experience and the chance to mature,” he conceded.

“As long as your captain and coach is supporting you even in your bad times, he’ll be fine,” he added further.

On being compared with Kapil Dev

Interestingly, both Kapil Dev and Hardik Pandya have often been compared to Kapil Dev. Irfan, in his opinion, is very clear that there can be none like the legendary former cricketer.

“Kapil Dev is Kapil Dev. There cannot be one like him again. I used to always say that I was a bowler who can bat. That was my way to handle the pressure. But whenever I went out to bat, I thought like a batsman,” Irfan Pathan conceded.

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