IPL 2017: 5 reasons why Gujarat Lions should play Irfan Pathan

#2 Judged too soon?

Pathan forced a tie with his final but his overall figrues hurt him

Pathan played just one game this season and was dumped rather unfairly. He came to bowl in the third over of the Mumbai innings in his only game and was met by a Parthiv Patel in carnage mode. Taken for 16, Pathan was removed from the attack and never brought back on until quite necessary in the death.

To his credit, he took the game to a super over bowling the last over where he conceded just 10. But with figures of 2-0-26-0, Pathan was dropped and never resorted to the line-up. In the IPL, every bowler has a poor day or two and it is up to the team and skipper to back good players and give them the confidence. If Raina can do a Ganguly and inspire the younger Pathan, Gujarat might find some solace towards the end of their campaign.