Irfan Pathan was once one of the most celebrated all-rounders India had in their team. A brilliant swing bowler and capable lower-order batsman, Pathan captured the imagination of cricket lovers everywhere when he clean bowled Adam Gilchrist during India’s tour of Australia in 2003-04.
Since then it was an upwards trend to his career, which included a T20 World Cup win in 2007 and many other feathers in his cap, but then injuries and form cut short a brilliant career. Having played his last game in 2012, Pathan retired from cricket in January 2020.
However, during a recent chat with out of favor Suresh Raina, Irfan said that he is ready to come out of retirement if the selectors communicated to him and said to him that he has one year to prepare himself.
Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan bat for Indian cricketers’ participation in overseas T20 leagues
“Communication is very important. If they come and tell me ‘Irfan you have retired but you prepare for one year and you will be available for India selection’ then I will leave everything, give my heart and soul, and will only do hard work. But who will do the communication?” said Irfan Pathan.
“Tell me if they say ‘Suresh Raina you have six months and there is a World Cup, we will consider you provided you perform well’ so won’t you give your all?” Irfan asked, to which Raina replied: “Yes, absolutely.”
Pathan’s Test career ended in 2008. In the 29 Tests he played, Irfan picked up 100 wickets at an average of 32. He was celebrated for his hat-trick in Pakistan in 2006, which he took in the first over of a Test match.
Irfan also scored 1105 runs in 29 Tests at an average of 31.57 with one century to his name. His limited-overs record was a lot better. In 120 ODIs, he picked up 173 wickets and scored 1544 runs. In 24 T20Is he picked up 28 wickets.
Suresh Raina, who last played for India in 2018, echoed Pathan’s sentiments and said that they had time on their hands. “We are still young and fit but most importantly we have that passion. We are fighters, if we get a chance then we will surely perform. I’ve seen a lot of players trying different things, even changing associations but they are not getting supporting,” he said.
Raina cited examples of Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Nehra, and MS Dhoni, who had long international cricketing careers.
