Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (50-41)

#41 Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan showed enormous potential when he burst on to the scene

If first impressions were enough to weave a prophecy, then the image of a curly-haired Irfan Pathan elicited an immediate splutter in Indian cricket circles. For here was the propitious prince who appeared to possess the all-round talent as well as euphoria-inducing charisma to step into Kapil Dev's long-vacant throne. Although the left-armer could not live up to those lofty demands, he eventually eked out a reasonable Test career and ensured his presence in the list of top Indian all-rounders.

Irfan remains one of only ten Indian cricketers to complete the Test double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets. Some of the memorable moments of his red-ball career include a sensational opening over hat-trick against arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi and a Player of the Match worthy performance in India's unforgettable Test victory against an intimidating Australian outfit in Perth.

*Career Span: 2003-present

Statistics: 100 wickets from 29 matches at an average of 32.26 and strike-rate of 58.8 with 7 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket match hauls; 1105 runs at an average of 31.57 with 1 century and 6 fifties

(*Note: Irfan Pathan is yet to officially announce his retirement from Tests)