Five Indian players who will benefit from playing in foreign T20 leagues

#5 Irfan Pathan

A stint with a foreign franchise may give Irfan Pathan a much-needed boost to make a return to the national side

Pace-bowling all-rounders are a rare-breed. While the current Indian limited-overs team is very strong, it lacks a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder and the team management is aware of the fact. There have been efforts to get Hardik Pandya to slot into the role recently and Stuart Binny was given a run in the team as well in the past.

One player who was the answer to the question not too long ago, and could possibly still do the job is Irfan Pathan. Still only 32-years-old, the player boasts an impressive international record with a Test hat-trick and a Test century along with many match-winning performances for the national team.

Injuries and a decline in form have led to Pathan’s exclusion from the national side, and his aspirations to make a comeback received a setback when he went unsold in the recent IPL auction. But the player’s talents and international records will attract suitors among foreign T20 sides and a good show in a high profile T20 league could help in giving a much-needed boost in his attempts to win a place back in the national team.