5 most expensive Indian bowlers in ODIs in last 10 years

3. Irfan Pathan (Innings: 118, Overs: 975.5, Wickets: 173, Economy Rate: 5.26)

Once touted to be the next Wasim Akram, the younger Pathan’s career has seen some steep ups and downs.

From destroying Pakistan and Australia at the start of his career, to falling to the false dream of becoming India’s next Kapil Dev, resurfacing again to be India’s Man of the Match in 2007 T20 World Cup final, and then going out of the loop again to inconsistency and injuries, it’s been an emotionally draining ride for many Indian cricket fans.

The first version of Irfan Pathan had the pace and swing to trouble the best of batsmen in the world. But after the first 2-3 years in international cricket, his form took such a fall in 2006 that he was sent back home in the middle of a tour against South Africa.

He made his return in 2007. By now, his action had changed; he had a much straighter action and the natural flow of his arm which resulted in the extravagant swing, was gone. Irfan still flourished. 2007 T20 World Cup and the Perth Test victory in 2008 were the most memorable moments of the Irfan Pathan version 2.0.

But injuries pushed him out of the side, and he has struggled to make a comeback ever since.