Ranji Trophy: In comeback, Irfan Pathan changes action yet again
Irfan Pathan took 3/46 to ensure Railways fell short of the Baroda first innings score.
Irfan Pathan took 3/46 to ensure Railways fell short of the Baroda first innings score. (Source: File)
Last week, Irfan Pathan made yet another comeback to the Baroda side against Uttar Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy fixture. There, he scored 98 and returned figures of 3/70 in 29 overs. Pathan’s bowling improved further in the game against Railways. In a game that was a battle for the first innings lead, the left-arm pacer took 3/46 to ensure Railways fell short of the Baroda first innings score. The out-of-favour all-rounder is pleased with his efforts which he says is due to “minor changes” in his bowling recently.
The credit for these changes he says goes to Irfan Pathan Sr, his coach in Baroda, and T.A. Sekhar, with whom he has been working for over a decade. Pathan says he sent a video of his bowling in the the UP game to Sekhar, who then made suggestions. The key point was that Pathan was getting more side-on than he needed to during his delivery stride. “My initial reaction was that since he looked rusty because he was playing after a long break . In an attempt to extract more swing, he is getting more side-on at the upper body by twisting during the pre-delivery phase. This happens when one is bowling after a lay-off.”
Sekhar suggested that Pathan avoid twisting his upper body to get the side-on position. “His load-up position is very crucial to get better alignment for the proper side-on position without twisting at the delivery phase. This should happen more smoothly, and will result in better posture and balance at the time of delivery. In doing so, his body being behind his delivery arm with all forces going towards the batsman, will enable him add a yard of pace,” Sekhar told The Indian Express.
Pathan, 30, now believes he is close to bowling at his best and exuded confidence of making a comeback into the Indian side. “I want to play all the Ranji games this season. Playing a four-day game tests you physically because you cannot be content with just one spell. You may be asked to ball when you are tired, or on occasions when the opposition batsmen are in form… so your rhythm comes from bowling more.” In the two games since his return, Irfan has bowled 52 overs.
Irfan’s immediate goal is to be match fit and play a key role with both bat and ball in Baroda’s progress in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Motivation, Irfan says, was never an issue. He reckons that playing for India was itself the biggest factor that had kept him going when he was out in the wilderness. “I have been injured before, so I know the process. It’s simple. Go out and perform…prove your form and fitness.”
Pathan seeks inspiration from Ryan Harris, the burly Australian fast bowler, who despite his share of injuries has made a comeback. “It is unfortunate that we label sportspersons as injury-prone. Ryan Harris has been injured so many times and still managed to make a comeback. Injuries are part of a sportsman’s life,” he signed off.
Drab Draw
In the final session, Baroda’s middle-order player Pandya cracked Railways left-arm spinner Ashish Yadav over long-on for a six. The right-hander, well into is 70s now had overtaken his captain Aditya Waghmode. He followed it up with a square cut and another six over Nandi’s head for another six. The flurry in the final session, which resulted in a 165-run stand for the fourth wicket between Waghmode and Pandya was the highlight in otherwise drab day at the Karnail Singh Stadium. On a bright sunny day, the match ended in a draw, but Baroda got much needed batting practice and three points due to the 35-run lead in the first innings. Earlier, Gagandeep Singh and Irfan Pathan mopped up Railways tail allowing them only 12 runs to their overnight tally of 251/7.
Brief Scores: Baroda 298 and 240/5 in 71.2 overs (H Pandya 90, A Waghmode 74, K Upadhyay 2/46) drew with Railways 263 in 93 overs. Points: Baroda 3; Railways 1
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