Irfan Khan Pathan is widely recognized as one of the most talented swing bowlers to have emerged from India in recent years. He was known for his ability to generate late swing and seam, drawing comparisons to the legendary Kapil Dev. Although he showed immense promise, injuries and a lack of consistency prevented him from reaching his full potential.
Born on October 27, 1984, in Vadodara, Gujarat, Irfan made his Test debut for India at the age of 19 during a tour of Australia. Even at a young age, he displayed remarkable skills with the ball, bowling at an impressive pace and giving trouble to some of the best batsmen in the world with his left-arm swing. He played a pivotal role in India’s series wins in both Tests and ODIs during their revival tour of Pakistan in 2004.
Irfan’s batting skills also came to the forefront under the guidance of Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell. He was often promoted up the order in ODIs and proved to be more than just a big hitter. His sensible approach and solid technique rescued the Indian team from difficult situations in both ODIs and Tests. Notably, he scored a sensational 83 against Sri Lanka in Nagpur after being promoted to No.3.
However, despite moments of brilliance, Irfan experienced a dip in form, particularly after his iconic hat-trick against Pakistan in Karachi in 2006. His bowling pace decreased significantly, and he struggled to hold a place in both the Test and ODI squads. In an effort to regain his form, he was sent back from the tour of South Africa in 2006 to focus on domestic cricket. Although he made the squad for the 2007 World Cup, he did not get a chance to play in a single game.
Irfan made a stunning comeback during the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007. He took ten wickets at an impressive average of 14.90 and played a crucial role in India’s victory over Pakistan in the final, earning him the Man-of-the-Match award. This success led to his selection for the home series against Australia and Pakistan, where he showcased his regained rhythm and form.
His comeback was further solidified when he played a crucial role in India’s historic victory in the third Test against Pakistan in Perth. He claimed five wickets and contributed with scores of 28 and 46, earning the Man-of-the-Match award once again. Unfortunately, injuries and a loss of form plagued Irfan in the following years, and he struggled to regain his place in the Indian team.
Despite his setbacks, Irfan remained a sought-after player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He represented teams such as Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings. In 2016, after being out of action for a year due to injuries, he was acquired by Rising Pune Supergiants at the IPL auction.
Although Irfan hasn’t played international cricket since 2012, his contribution to Indian cricket cannot be undermined. He was immensely talented and had all the attributes to become an all-time great. His impact on the game and his memorable performances will always be remembered by cricket fans worldwide.
