Irfan Pathan: A Versatile Legend Turns 40

Irfan Pathan: A Versatile Legend Turns 40

Irfan Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, celebrates his 40th birthday today. Known for his prodigious swing bowling and vital knocks, Pathan was one of India’s most versatile cricketers during his illustrious career.

Hat-trick against Pakistan in 2006:

Arguably Pathan’s most iconic moment came in the Karachi Test against Pakistan in 2006. He became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the opening over of a Test match, dismissing Salman Butt, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Yousuf in consecutive deliveries. This historic feat etched his name into the annals of cricket history.

Man of the Match in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final:

Pathan played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. In the high-pressure final against Pakistan, he delivered a match-winning spell of 3 for 16, helping India clinch the trophy. His remarkable bowling under pressure earned him the Man of the Match award, contributing significantly to India’s historic triumph.

Match-winning All-round Show in the Perth Test, 2008:

In one of the toughest assignments for any cricketer, an overseas Test in Australia, Pathan produced a stellar all-round performance in Perth in 2008. He took 5 wickets in the match and also scored 46 vital runs in the second innings, helping India secure a rare victory on Australian soil. His ability to make an impact with both bat and ball was on full display, earning him the Man of the Match award in India’s famous win at the WACA.

Maiden Test Century in 2007:

Pathan was not just a bowler but also a more than capable batsman. In the Bangalore Test against Pakistan in 2007, he scored his maiden and only Test century, batting at No. 8. His knock of 102 was a testament to his batting skills and versatility, proving he could contribute with the bat at crucial moments. It remains one of the highlights of his Test career.

As Irfan Pathan turns 40, his contributions to Indian cricket are fondly remembered. Whether it was his lethal swing bowling, his crucial knocks with the bat, or his never-say-die spirit, Pathan remains a beloved figure in Indian cricket.

Irfan Pathan's Unforgettable Hat-Trick: A Test Cricket Landmark

Irfan Pathan’s Unforgettable Hat-Trick: A Test Cricket Landmark

Irfan Pathan’s Historic Hat-Trick: A Moment Etched in Indian Cricket History

In the annals of Indian cricket, Irfan Pathan’s hat-trick in the first over of the third Test against Pakistan in 2006 stands as an unforgettable moment. Held at Karachi’s National Stadium, the match witnessed Pathan’s extraordinary feat, becoming the first and only player to achieve a hat-trick in the opening over of a Test match.

India entered the match with high hopes, and Pathan, renowned for his ability to swing the ball both ways, was entrusted with the new ball on a pitch offering movement. Pakistan’s openers, Salman Butt and Imran Farhat, faced the daunting task of countering Pathan’s probing deliveries.

The fourth ball of Pathan’s over proved decisive. A full-length delivery swung in sharply, deceiving Butt, who edged it to Rahul Dravid at first slip. Buoyed by this early success, Pathan unleashed an inswinger that trapped Younis Khan plumb in front. Two wickets in two balls had the crowd stunned and the Indian players sensing something special.

For the hat-trick ball, Pathan faced Mohammad Yousuf, another experienced Pakistani batsman. With nerves of steel, he delivered a perfect inswinger that pitched in line and jagged back in. Yousuf was left clueless as the ball crashed into the stumps, completing a historic hat-trick in the very first over of the match.

The Indian team erupted in joy as Pathan, arms raised in triumph, was swarmed by his teammates. He became only the second Indian bowler to take a Test hat-trick after Harbhajan Singh, but the first to achieve it in the opening over of a match – a record that remains one of the most unique feats in Test cricket.

Despite Pakistan’s eventual victory in the Test, Pathan’s hat-trick became one of the most iconic moments in India-Pakistan cricket history, a testament to his skill and the unpredictable nature of the game.

Riyan Parag's Bowling Ability Gives Him Edge Over Sanju Samson in Indian T20I Team

Riyan Parag’s Bowling Ability Gives Him Edge Over Sanju Samson in Indian T20I Team

Sanju Samson’s return to the Indian T20I team after being benched in the first match against Sri Lanka was short-lived, as he was dismissed for a golden duck while opening the innings. This move raised questions about Samson’s role in the team, especially considering the prominence given to Riyan Parag.

Parag has emerged as a key figure in the Indian team under new head coach Gambhir, occupying the middle-order batting spot that many expected Samson to fill. Parag’s ability to bowl a few overs gives him an advantage over Samson, who is primarily a wicket-keeper batter.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that Parag’s bowling ability will give him a long rope in the middle-order, especially in T20I cricket. “You will see Riyan Parag getting many chances due to his bowling ability. As a top-order batsman, not many in the country have the ability to roll their arm over. This is where Riyan Parag will get an extra advantage, and rightly so,” Pathan said.

Samson’s situation in the Indian team has been puzzling, with the talented wicket-keeper batter being shuffled across different roles and positions since his debut. Despite his undeniable talent, Samson has struggled to cement his spot in the team, as he continues to be tried and tested in various roles.

The first two matches under Gambhir’s leadership have made it clear that Parag is part of his long-term plans. This raises questions about Samson’s future in the team, as he may have to adapt to a different role or face the prospect of being overlooked for selection.

Irfan Pathan Slams MS Dhoni's Batting Position in CSK's Loss

Irfan Pathan Slams MS Dhoni’s Batting Position in CSK’s Loss

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed his disapproval of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni’s decision to bat at number 9 during their match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Dhoni’s unusual batting position, the lowest in his T20 career, resulted in a golden duck as PBKS pacer Harshal Patel dismissed him. Pathan believes that Dhoni, despite being 42 years old, should assume more responsibility and bat higher up the order.

“MS Dhoni batting at No.9 doesn’t work for CSK, it doesn’t help the team’s cause,” Pathan stated. “He is in solid form, so he should be taking the responsibility of batting up the order. He should bat for at least 4 to 5 overs.”

Pathan emphasized that Dhoni’s current batting position, often in the last over or two, does not serve CSK’s long-term interests. He pointed out that Dhoni has been in excellent form this season, scoring 110 runs in 7 innings with an average of 55 and a strike rate of 224.49.

“It might happen that we will see CSK qualify for the playoffs from here on and they need to win 90 percent of their games,” Pathan said. “As a proper senior guy, who’s in form, he needs to bat up the order. He can’t be doing the same thing that he has done on quite a few occasions.”

Pathan acknowledged Dhoni’s impact in CSK’s victory against Mumbai Indians, but he stressed that the team needed him more in the match against PBKS. He suggested that Dhoni should bat higher up the order, even ahead of Shardul Thakur, and that someone should advise him to bat for at least 4 overs.

Irfan Pathan Exposes Hardik Pandya's Captaincy Woes in Mumbai Indians' Loss

Irfan Pathan Exposes Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Woes in Mumbai Indians’ Loss

Mumbai Indians’ (MI) dismal performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has raised concerns about the team’s leadership under captain Hardik Pandya. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has been vocal in his criticism of Pandya’s tactics, suggesting a lack of respect for the captain in the dressing room.

After MI’s loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Pathan questioned Pandya’s decision to give the ball to Naman Dhir when KKR were struggling at 57/5. He argued that this allowed KKR to rebuild their innings through Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey, who was playing his first game of the season.

“Mumbai Indians’ story ends here,” Pathan said in a viral video. “This team was so good on paper, but it wasn’t managed. The questions that were raised on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy were absolutely right.”

Pathan further suggested that the MI players do not respect Pandya as captain, which has contributed to the team’s struggles. “Captaincy has a big impact in the game,” he said. “Mumbai Indians don’t look like a united team, and management needs to consider this. Players need to respect and accept the captain, and we didn’t see that on-field.”

KKR’s win helped them retain their second position in the table, while MI remained at the 9th spot. However, MI still has a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs if they win their remaining three matches and other results go their way.

Pathan’s criticism of Pandya’s captaincy has sparked a debate about the team’s leadership and the reasons behind their poor performance. MI’s management will need to address these concerns and find a way to improve the team’s fortunes in the remaining matches of the season.

Kohli's Strike Rate Debate: Former Cricketers Slam Double Standards

Kohli’s Strike Rate Debate: Former Cricketers Slam Double Standards

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli has been a consistent run-scorer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, despite facing criticism over his strike rate. Kohli currently sits second in the scoring charts with 500 runs in 10 matches, just nine runs behind Orange Cap holder Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, his innings have often been overshadowed by his debatable strike rate.

Amidst the criticism, Kohli has found support from former India cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif. They have slammed his critics for double standards, citing the example of SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Travis Head.

Head has been in impressive form in the IPL, scoring 396 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 194. However, during SRH’s match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Head struggled to time the ball, scoring 58 off 44 balls with a strike rate of 131.8.

Irfan and Kaif argued that if Kohli had played a similar knock, his strike rate would have been heavily criticized. “According to his ability, you have never seen him play like this. No matter what you say that there was good bowling and everything, but every cricketer should be treated equally,” said Irfan.

Kaif echoed his sentiments, adding, “If this was Virat Kohli, I can guarantee that people would have said only 58 runs in 44 balls? What is this? They would say it is low and there would have debates about his strike rate. But I believe that this was a good innings by Head.”

Irfan further highlighted Kohli’s importance to RCB, especially considering the team’s struggles in the tournament. “But if there was Virat Kohli instead, people would have stuck to the strike rate but here we are talking about taking responsibility for team’s victory, so please treat everyone equally,” he added.

Kohli himself has addressed the debate surrounding his strike rate, taking a swipe at his critics after the match against Gujarat Titans. “All the people who talk about [my] strike rate and me not playing spin well are the ones who love to talk about these things. But for me, it is just about winning the game. There’s a reason why you do it for 15 years. Because you do this day in and day out and won games for your team,” said Kohli.

Kohli will have the opportunity to reclaim the Orange Cap when RCB face Gujarat Titans on Saturday.

Rohit Sharma Remains India's Best Captain, Says Irfan Pathan

Rohit Sharma Remains India’s Best Captain, Says Irfan Pathan

Rohit Sharma’s appointment as India’s T20 World Cup 2024 captain has sparked discussions about the BCCI’s decision-making process. While some have questioned the timing of the announcement, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan believes Rohit is the ideal leader for the team.

Pathan, speaking on Star Sports, emphasized the importance of leadership in cricket and praised Rohit’s abilities in this regard. He compared Rohit to legendary captains like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, highlighting his impact on the team’s performance.

“As far as captaincy is concerned, he is the best leader you have,” Pathan said. “We always talk about the players, but leadership is a totally different thing. We saw what happened in this IPL with quite a few captains; it’s not easy.”

Pathan acknowledged the potential of other players like Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant as future captains. However, he believes Rohit remains the best choice for the time being.

“In the future, they will be keeping an eye on Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah as far as captaincy is concerned,” Pathan said. “Now we have Hardik Pandya as the Vice Captain, Rishabh Pant is also there in your leadership role group if he gets going because he was there in the leadership role before he got injured. So there are three or four guys who are ready, but Rohit is the number one.”

Pathan’s comments highlight the importance of leadership in cricket and the challenges associated with the role. He believes Rohit’s experience and proven track record make him the best choice to lead India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Hardik Pandya's T20 World Cup Selection Sparks Controversy

Hardik Pandya’s T20 World Cup Selection Sparks Controversy

Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked controversy, with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioning the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision. Despite poor form in the IPL 2024, Pandya was not only selected for the 15-man squad but also named vice-captain.

Pathan criticized the BCCI for making exceptions for Pandya, who has been absent from domestic cricket. He pointed out that players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were forced to prove themselves in domestic cricket before being recalled to the Indian team.

“Regular participation in domestic cricket is essential for serving Indian cricket throughout the year,” Pathan said. “But there’s this one player who returns from injury without fulfilling the same requirements.”

Pathan also questioned Pandya’s performance consistency and commitment to Indian cricket. He suggested that Jasprit Bumrah would have been a better choice for the vice-captaincy role.

“To succeed in tournaments like the World Cup, it’s imperative that every player is treated fairly and equally,” Pathan said. “I believe someone like Bumrah wouldn’t have been a bad choice either.”

Pathan’s comments highlight the ongoing debate over Pandya’s place in the Indian team. While some believe he is a valuable all-rounder, others question his form and commitment. The BCCI’s decision to select him for the T20 World Cup 2024 is likely to be a topic of discussion in the coming months.

Irfan Pathan Raises Concerns Over MS Dhoni's Decision-Making in CSK vs PBKS Clash

Irfan Pathan Raises Concerns Over MS Dhoni’s Decision-Making in CSK vs PBKS Clash

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns over MS Dhoni’s decision-making during Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) recent clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pathan criticized Dhoni’s approach towards strike rotation and his struggles against spin bowling.

In a match where CSK set PBKS a below-par target of 163 runs, Dhoni’s contribution of 14 off 11 balls came under scrutiny. Pathan highlighted Dhoni’s reluctance to take singles, which he believes hindered the team’s progress.

“He shouldn’t have done that (refusing a single). This is a team game. Don’t do that in a team game. The other guy [Daryl Mitchell] is also an international player. If he had been a bowler, I would have understood it for sure,” Pathan said.

Pathan also criticized Dhoni’s treatment of New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell, who was denied singles by the former India captain. “You have done that with (Ravindra) Jadeja and with Mitchell as well. You don’t need to do that. He could have avoided it,” Pathan added.

Pathan praised PBKS skipper Sam Curran’s tactical acumen, particularly his decision to introduce spinner Rahul Chahar in the 19th over against Dhoni. “Curran getting a spinner to bowl the 19th over was a masterstroke because considering the form MS Dhoni is in, he could have taken the game way forward in those two overs. He could have scored 30 runs in two overs but they didn’t allow him to do that,” Pathan acknowledged.

Reflecting on Dhoni’s struggles against spin bowling, Pathan noted, “You bowled to him with excellent planning. Although a six was hit for sure in Arshdeep’s over, he also bowled well. He (Dhoni) has been unable to score runs against spinners in the last few years, which is why he is bringing himself down the order. He is scoring runs in the last over when the fast bowlers are thinking of bowling yorkers.”

Pathan’s critique highlights the tactical intricacies and strategic decisions that unfolded during the CSK vs PBKS encounter.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Backed to Open for India in T20 World Cup

Yashasvi Jaiswal Backed to Open for India in T20 World Cup

Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif have strongly advocated for Yashasvi Jaiswal to partner Rohit Sharma as India’s opening batsman in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup. They believe Jaiswal’s left-handedness would neutralize the threat of left-arm fast bowlers and spinners, a common strategy employed by opposing teams.

Pathan emphasized that Jaiswal’s aggressive approach and ability to counter left-arm spinners would be crucial in the tournament. He argued that the Rohit-Jaiswal combination would allow Virat Kohli to bat at number three, where he has excelled in ICC events.

Kaif echoed Pathan’s views, stating that Jaiswal’s attacking style and Rohit Sharma’s power-play dominance would create a formidable opening partnership. He also highlighted the importance of Kohli’s experience and ability to bat through the innings at number three.

However, both Pathan and Kaif expressed disappointment over the exclusion of Rinku Singh and Ravi Bishnoi from the 15-member squad. Pathan praised Singh’s finishing abilities and high strike rate, while Kaif acknowledged Bishnoi’s fielding skills and potential as a spinner.

They emphasized that India must play with aggression and determination to break their World Cup drought. Pathan stressed the need for fearless cricket in knockout matches, while Kaif pointed out the importance of winning big matches to lift the trophy.

India will kick off their Men’s T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada, and tournament co-hosts USA.

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