Pathan ecstatic after a solid return

Irfan Pathan picked up six wickets against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy sixth round

Irfan Pathan, the only bowler to have clinched a hat-trick in the first over of a Test match proved himself again when he took six wickets against Gujarat in a Ranji Trophy group stage match.

The Baroda medium pacer has been out of the international side for a long time now and is looking to get his mojo back. After a cutback, Pathan returned to domestic cricket and for the good of Baroda grabbing six wickets for just 47 runs. This is the 6th round of Ranji Trophy.

The Baroda all-rounder told bcci.tv after the day’s play, “Getting six wickets on a comeback for anyone is really helpful in terms of confidence and getting into the flow. It feels good.”

Irfan bowled a magical spell and finished the innings with the following figures 25.2-12-47-6.

The 31-year-old gained much confidence in the match and was happy enough with his performance, he added, “Obviously taking wickets is always very helpful in gaining confidence. I am happy about the way I bowled in my comeback match because the ball was coming out right from my hand, specially swinging both ways that really helped in that game and gave me confidence.”

Though Gujarat managed a good score, Pathan’s performance was the standout one as he bowled at an economy of 1.35. He was ecstatic after his first wicket because he thumped upon one of the batsmen, who was set, with an old ball. He mentioned how his experience came into play at such a slow track.

When asked about his wickets and the match, this is what he had to say, “The first wicket was really special for me in this game because the ball was really old and the batsmen were really set. I got Smit Patel out on 57 (with the opening stand on 119). I had set him up nicely.”

“I thought it was important on a slow track to set the batsman up and I used my experience to do that. I set him up by away going deliveries and then after second or third over bowled the incoming delivery which trapped him in front of the wicket that was a very satisfying wicket. The other wickets came well, as well,” he continued.

Pathan was satisfied with his performance with the old ball because according to him it was difficult to get those wickets at such a track when the ball was old and soft with almost zero reverse swing.

“Most of the wickets came with the old ball and why it is satisfying to take wickets with the old ball because the ball was really soft and there was no reverse swing because of the ground. The ground is pretty lush and the wicket is extremely slow,” Pathan said.

“It’s very satisfying when you get wickets with the old ball when there is no reverse swing and only conventional swing and the ball is old and soft. Out of six I got three were lbws which always tells me I am on the right track. That’s my forte where I get lot of lbws one was in the slip one was caught behind so out of six five were on good balls and which is satisfying,” the left-armer told bcci.tv

Pathan was asked about his preparations before the match, Pathan said that he wanted to practice a lot before he could take up the real challenge again. “I was working and bowling a lot in the nets. I was trying to train myself before I got the opportunity to play in this game.

“The good thing was, I got a lot of time to prepare myself which was really good. Luckily I was fit for a very long time before coming into the game and doing my preparations which really helped me.”

Baroda who are currently in the 6th position in their group would look to jump up the table and now that Irfan is back and in form, he could be as we all know a huge obstacle for other teams in the tournament. Irfan has 388 wickets in his first-class career with a career best of 7 for 35.