Irfan Pathan hopes to reclaim the swing

NAGPUR: Not so long ago, he was a toast of a nation desperately seeking an all-rounder of substance to step into Kapil Dev's shoes. Much like the former India captain, Irfan Pathan relished performing on the big stage.
Be it the Twenty20 World Cup final in 2007 or the tense Perth Test in 2008, the younger of the Pathan siblings has relished pressure-cooker situations and more often than not come out with flying colors.
He has struggled ever since as a slew of injuries and indifferent form has taken its toll on a fledging career, but the fit-again Irfan is now raring to go.
He just wants to focus on getting his swing and rhythm back. "As a cricketer, you always want to be in action but you can't do anything about injuries. It's frustrating but you need to be patient. I haven't played much in the past one-and-half years. I went through rehabilitation and things have started falling in place. I am fully fit and now looking forward to playing more and more matches to prove my match-fitness," Irfan told TOI.
Having played at the top level, Irfan understands the importance of not rushing his comeback. "I need to take it one step at a time. First, I need to make sure that I get my rhythm back and pitch the ball consistently in the right areas. I have never been a tearaway fast bowler. My strength has always been getting the ball to swing. If I can do so, maintaining a speed of around 130-135kmph, I can trouble batsmen," Irfan, who is here to play the Challenger Trophy, said.
"This tournament has come at a right time. I need quality matches to test my form and fitness. I am thankful to the selectors for giving this opportunity to me. At the moment I am not thinking too far ahead. If I start worrying about the future, I may put myself under pressure," he said.
Asked whether he is worried about having to start all over again, Irfan said, "I have played enough at the top level so I have a fair idea of what I need to do to reach at that level again. To be honest, getting selected for Team India is not on my mind. If I do well on the domestic circuit, I will definitely be considered. With amount of cricket being played these days and frequent injuries to fast bowlers, I need to perform well and keep myself match-fit."
Spending time with Team India bowling coach Eric Simons has also helped the left-armer to sort out a few technical issues. "It was great spending time with Simons. He has great work ethic. He has made a few technical points that I have been working on. With TA Sekar back with the Delhi Daredevils, it will only help me to improve. I have always looked up to him for advice," the Baroda all-rounder said.
Asked about the country's obsession with pace, Irfan said: "But for Javagal Srinath we haven't produced an out-and-out quick bowler. It has a lot to do with the kind of wickets we have. You need to be smart while bowling on these tracks. Bowlers like Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan have done extremely well in these conditions. Praveen Kumar doesn't have great pace but he is still doing well. At the international level, you have to out-think the batsmen."