Irfan Pathan was once the golden child of Indian cricket. A spate of injuries most recent being a stress injury to the back followed by hamstring strain have laid the Baroda all-rounder low over the last year. However, the Delhi Daredevils saw something which the rest of the world missed. The GMR group-owned franchise splurged $1.9 million on the 26-year-old in the IPL 4 auction held in January this year. Subsequently, Irfan finished his treatment at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and turned out for his state in the Ranji one-dayers.
His comeback lasted just one match as a minor hamstring strain ruled him out once again. With less than a week to go before IPL 4 gets underway on April 8, the Daredevils must now be fretting over the fitness and form of Irfan."It was disappointing to miss out on the Ranji one-dayers but I have played some 50-over matches in a tournament in Maharashtra last month. Most of the top domestic players were there. That was followed by a couple of more games in Kochi," Irfan told.
"I am really pleased with my recovery from injury. The IPL is a platform for me to stage a comeback into the Indian team. I am itching to play for India again and the desire is most likely much more than what it was at the age of 19," he added. The Daredevils coach Greg Shipperd believes the franchise was justified in bidding so forcefully for the former Kings XI Punjab player."Irfan is one of the most brilliant Indian players.” Shipperd told."The exit of Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra and Dinesh Karthik means the Daredevils are extremely low on fuel when it comes to quality Indian players.
Irfan brings a couple of aspects to the table with his batting and bowling prowess and remains one of the most experienced Indian players after skipper Virender Sehwag. "It was flattering how aggressively the Daredevils bid for me. It gave me a lot of confidence as I was improving from injury. After the auction they have been in constant touch with me which is very helpful. "I don't consider it to be additional pressure. It is just prospect that I need to fulfill. Delhi has a very young team, I will be happy to play the role of a mentor for them," Irfan added.
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His comeback lasted just one match as a minor hamstring strain ruled him out once again. With less than a week to go before IPL 4 gets underway on April 8, the Daredevils must now be fretting over the fitness and form of Irfan."It was disappointing to miss out on the Ranji one-dayers but I have played some 50-over matches in a tournament in Maharashtra last month. Most of the top domestic players were there. That was followed by a couple of more games in Kochi," Irfan told.
"I am really pleased with my recovery from injury. The IPL is a platform for me to stage a comeback into the Indian team. I am itching to play for India again and the desire is most likely much more than what it was at the age of 19," he added. The Daredevils coach Greg Shipperd believes the franchise was justified in bidding so forcefully for the former Kings XI Punjab player."Irfan is one of the most brilliant Indian players.” Shipperd told."The exit of Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra and Dinesh Karthik means the Daredevils are extremely low on fuel when it comes to quality Indian players.
Irfan brings a couple of aspects to the table with his batting and bowling prowess and remains one of the most experienced Indian players after skipper Virender Sehwag. "It was flattering how aggressively the Daredevils bid for me. It gave me a lot of confidence as I was improving from injury. After the auction they have been in constant touch with me which is very helpful. "I don't consider it to be additional pressure. It is just prospect that I need to fulfill. Delhi has a very young team, I will be happy to play the role of a mentor for them," Irfan added.
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