Pathan answers opening question

Playing Kajrare on the PA system during the tea break may have raised the eyebrows of purists but it fitted perfectly the mood at the Kotla ...

Playing Kajrare on the PA system during the tea break may have raised the eyebrows of purists but it fitted perfectly the mood at the Kotla today. The crowd rose and swayed to the beat, on the dressing room balcony Greg Chappell was seen snapping his fingers and swaying his head.

It was the calm, confident batting of Irfan Pathan 8212; unbeaten on 76 at tea 8212; that got them in the mood.

Though Pathan didn8217;t get his ton 8212; he was out for 93 8212; he8217;d reiterated yet again his importance to the success of Chappell8217;s strategic planning, something which is rapidly transcending the more limited definition of 8216;8216;experimentation8217;8217;.

Pathan8217;s versatility was revealed after Sachin Tendulkar8217;s suggestion last month at Nagpur but the roots go back farther. Former Baroda Ranji Trophy coach Vinit Watkar has this story about Pathan8217;s first Ranji season. 8216;8216;He wasn8217;t a great batsman then but whenever I looked around the dressing room searching for a crisis nightwatchman Pathan would have already started padding up,8217;8217; Watkar says.

India too had a crisis at the start of the Test when Virender Sehwag was ruled out and, with Rahul Dravid not quite comfortable in the first innings, the decision was taken at last night8217;s team meeting to open with Pathan. When Lanka were bowled out early, Pathan made a dash for the dressing room; it was clear then that he8217;d soon walk out again, bat in hand.

Pathan doesn8217;t have a very high opinion about his all-rounder credentials; 8216;8216;When I feel I am confident enough as a batsman I will say I am an all-rounder, I8217;m not one at the moment.8217;8217;

He may need to review that opinion on today8217;s evidence. If not a specialist Test opener he certainly was a batsman with skills. One who can loft Murali over both long on and long off for six, get four runs straight-driving the crafty Vaas, drive the leggie Bandara over extra-cover and flick the speedy Fernando to backward square leg.

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Even rock back to punch Murali to the point fence.

The interesting thing is that all that aggression comes with a serene calm that is a trademark of his batting. Calculated footwork, a precise swing of the bat, a tranquil temperament.

And loads of self-belief. 8216;8216;Everybody knows how to hit shots but not necessary the confidence to actually go through them8217;8217;, he said.

He credits his confidence to his stint in the English county circuit but a large part of the credit must also be claimed by his flawless work ethic. He never missed a chance to bat at the pre-season camp in Bangalore, despite an overloaded bowling schedule.

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Even during the rain-affected Chennai Test, as most players stuck to their rooms, Pathan would call for a car bright and early in the morning and head for the gym, often alone.

Today8217;s exercise , of course, was carried out in front of an appreciative, and excited, cricketing public.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More