IPL 2011 : Irfan Pathan desperate to return to form

Losing his way: After a promising start, Pathan lost his way under Chappell in the pursuit of converting himself into an all-rounder.

“I would like to contribute with bat and ball at the same time and I need to have bit more patience because I am playing cricket after a big lay-off,” said Irfan Pathan after participating in the opening of a sports arena at Novotel Hyderabad Airport here.

Cricket fans might have been busy drawing similarities between Wasim Akram and Irfan Pathan when Pathan was just cutting his teeth in international cricket, but his career has been quilt with incongruous episodes since then.

After his in-swing (which was once a nightmare for the likes of Mohammed Yusuf to evade) faded away, his bowling has largely bordered on mediocrity. The mishap took place under Greg Chappell as he lost his way in the pursuit of converting himself into an all-rounder. As the wickets dried and his form dipped, he was dropped from the side.

In the earlier editions of the Indian Premier League, Irfan represented the Kings XI Punjab. He was bought by the Delhi Daredevils for a $1.9 million in the auction that took place this January. A spate of injuries and his career hit a low over the last year.

Sadly, his performance so far in the Indian Premier League has been jejune.

“Due to injury I wasn’t playing cricket and that was frustrating but now I am happy that I am playing cricket and I am really enjoying my game,” Pathan said.

“For me personal goal is I want to make a comeback to Indian team. My foremost aim is to play for the country and I will make sure that I will do everything to fulfil that dream,” he said.

“Once selectors think that I’m ready for the Indian team they will select me if they think I am important for the team,” Pathan said expressing his desire to play for India.