CHENNAI: As his bat bludgeoned his bowling took a dip. Irfan Pathan was lost in transition.
Perhaps, the aspiring all-rounder in him subdued the bowler in him. Perhaps, he sought counsel once too many.
Whatever, Irfan’s bowling had lost its bite and spite, when the selectors deemed enough was enough.
For brief, his career seemed traipsing the familiar obscurity-prominenceoblivion route. From his faulty thumb position (thumb was crossed, pointing towards cover, which results in a locked wrist and hampered his speed) to wrist (not behind the ball’s line) and feet placement (front leg went far across) at the point of delivery, his bowling lost its sting. The disarming smile faded.
But credit to Irfan that he utilised his hiatus in rectifying the technical glitches that had crept into his bowling. His run-up underwent minor alterations at the MRF Pace Foundation in mid 2007.
Mentally, he was refreshed and eager, and consistency in the domestic circuit helped his comeback.
Henceforth, it has been a journey of evolution. He improved his slower-deliveries and varied his pace cleverly. But his sharpness and zip was still missing.
And in the Perth Test against Australia he bagged the man-of-the match with his all-round performance. It looked like that he was back to his best. However, consistency eluded him. He couldn’t fix a permanent spot, except in the T20s, which he relishes.
An in-form Irfan would be as vital to India’s fortunes as to reviving his own career. If Irfan strikes he could solve half of MS Dhoni’s problems. Pertinently, he lends balance and depth to the side and solves the fifth-bowler puzzle. Pathan’s inclusion affords Dhoni the options of bolstering the batting and bowling, depending on the conditions. He can bowl five bowlers without weakening the batting and can play an extra batsman without affecting the bowling department.
All the same, Irfan has struggled with his length in recent outings. In his last 10 matches, he has taken only 10 wickets at an expensive average of 49.3. And Dhoni has been able to complete the fifth-bowler quota with the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina. But the wintry conditions in New Zealand summons a medium pace option.
“They can be effective in dry subcontinental conditions but not in New Zealand, where most grounds are small and conditions conducive to mediumpacers.
So I reckon that Irfan would be a better alternative as he would give Dhoni more options,” remarked former India batsman Mohinder Amarnath.
At one juncture or the other, Irfan would get his skipper’s nod. And one hopes that Irfan exorcises the self-doubt and reasserts himself that he is a bowler first.