Sachin’s 20 years: Irfan recalls advice of a lifetime

“Playing cricket for 20 years is a great achievement. And Sachin’s contribution towards my game has been huge. I have many fond memories with Sachin,” Pathan told reporters after the Ranji Trophy match at Eden. “There are so many memories that are coming back. I can never forget one particular instance,which played a big role in my career down the years.”

The 25-year-old allrounder picked out an advice that Tendulkar had given him long back. “It happened towards the beginning of my international career. After he had good look at my bowling,I was discussing my bowling with him,I asked him what changes I needed to make. He clearly told me that I didn’t need to consciously try to get extra swing. He suggested that I bowl naturally,and my natural swing will do the rest,there was no need for extra effort at swinging the ball,” Pathan said.

Pathan,known for his natural swing with the new ball,was here on his comeback trail,and played an instrumental role with both and ball to help Baroda snatch the first innings lead over hosts Bengal.

“I am playing after a really long time,it’s been almost three months. I am satisfied with my performance in this match,I hope to get better,” the allrounder said on the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy match. Pathan picked up crucial wickets with the new ball and later bailed Baroda out of trouble with a matured knock that had a major impact in the match.

National selector Narendra Hirwani watched the match,ostensibly to monitor Pathan’s performance in the backdrop of selection for the five-match ODI home series against Sri Lanka. “I am not eyeing any specific tournament for comeback. That’s up to the selectors. My job is to go out there and perform,and that’s what I am doing,” Pathan said.

Baroda batsmen maul Bengal on last day
After ensuring the first innings lead by 14 runs,Paras Mhambrey’s boys went from tough to harsh as the Baroda batsmen pounded the Bengal bowlers throughout the inconsequential fourth day’s play. Riding on opener Satyajit Parab’s punishing 154,Baroda plundered 458 for 8 in their second innings in the Ranji Trophy Super League tie. The match meandered to a stale draw on Day IV,but Baroda were merciless on the hosts. Parab’s ton apart,Yusuf Pathan (63),Jacob Martin (52) and stumper Pinal Shah (51) milked the bowling that looked stingless — understandably because Bengal had nothing much to play for apart from ensuring a draw after having conceded the first innings lead.

The Baroda batsmen posted 400 runs on the fourth day after building on the overnight score of 58 for 1. As many as eight Bengal bowlers were tried out,but neither the frontline bowlers nor the part-timers could stop the full of runs.

Both the teams were fined 10 percent match fee for slow over-rate,with skippers Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Connor Williams each being docked 20 percent of match fee.

Brief score: Baroda 307 & 458/ 8 (Satyajit Parab 154,Yusuf Pathan 63,Pinal Shah 51) v Bengal 293.

Ranadeb complains against team manager
Bengal cornerstone Ranadeb Bose today reportedly complained against Bengal team manager Russi Jeejeebhoy for allegedly interfering in players’ matters.

Although the ace speedster and the Bengal manager refused to comment on the matter,it was learnt that after the fourth day’s play,Bose approached CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya and expressed his dissatisfaction over Jeejeebhoy’s role in the team so far.