Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who announced retirement from all forms of cricket on Saturday after almost two decades as an international cricketer, Irfan Pathan reveals his ‘only regret’ he had was not playing more for India. Pathan highlighted how, at the age of 27-28, when people start their careers, his one ended.
“People start their career when they are 27-28 and then go on to play till 35. When I was 27, I had taken 301 international wickets, so that was it. That is the only regret I have,” said Pathan, who is now aged 35.
The Baroda all-rounder who is now the mentor of Jammu & Kashmir cricket featured in 29 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20 Internationals. He burst onto the scenes with a spell of 9 for 16 against Bangladesh in a U-19 match in Pakistan and was then fast-tracked into the Indian side for the Australia tour later that year in 2002. Pathan made his Test debut in the 2nd match and delivered a wonderful performance.
“I wish I would have played more and could have taken that tally to 500-600 wickets and scored more runs, but it did not happen,” he said.
“A 27-year-old Irfan Pathan, at the peak of his career, should have got more opportunities but it did not happen for whatever reasons. No complaints but looking back, there is regret.” Pathan said in 2016 he got an idea that he would never get to play for India again.
“I knew after 2016 that I am not going to make a comeback when I was the highest run-scorer in Mushtaq Ali trophy. I was the best all-rounder and when I spoke to selectors, they were not very happy with my bowling.
“When you know they are not happy (things don’t happen). But after 2016-17, I kept pushing myself. Some league offers came my way and I am glad I took it. It was J and K cricket, I was playing and mentoring and I am glad I did this for them,” said Pathan.
