Whenever I used to visit Crickefundas.com as a guest visitor, I always used to check out that future stars column, because it gives you an insight on the stars of tomorrow. And I always saw that very rarely, there would be something on Indian bowlers for the future. In fact, this may be one of the few write-ups about an upcoming Indian bowler, that too a fast bowler!
India has always been a team, which hasn’t won accolades for its bowling prowess. One would never see a fast bowler from India last longer than a juicy mango on the tree. Kapil Dev, Srinath are two names that did make a difference. Even then, Indian bowling line up was always a tea time joke for any opposition team. For all those people who have been saying this : GET SOME SALT AND PEPPER, TIME TO EAT ALL YOUR WORDS. So prepare to season it all!
One name has started the Milky Way for a team that never looked like bowling out the opposition twice: IRFAN KHAN PATHAN. This youngster looks a budding, hard working cricketer; a kid with the mind of a professional! A man with instincts that tell him to become a go-getter in life.
The path to becoming the Spearhead of the Indian Test and ODI team has been quite an interesting tale, and it really inspires every one of us. This lanky cheerful “Guddu” was born in a family of very little means. Irfan and his 2 brothers were brought up in a disciplined and conservative background. Our young hero became interested in the so-called “RICH Man’s Game” cricket. Due to his constant nagging, his father asked his brother in law, Ahmed Mian, to coach this bright little kid. At 12, he went into season-ball cricket under the coaching of Mehndi Shiekh. When he first bowled, he could not even get his ball to reach the other end! He was so fragile, brought up on his mother’s Biryani (which he still considers the best food in the world!).
After rigorous practice and extreme perspiring hard work, Irfan started rolling his gifted left arm over finally. This sparkling left arm seamer soon found his mentor and new coach under Dattajirao Gaekwad.
Hard work is the very middle name of this committed cricketer. And that paid him rich dividends. All the sweat in the nets earned him a place in the Baroda Ranji Team. Then afterwards there was no stopping him. In his teens itself, he had became Baroda’s opening and prime bowler by 2001, with Zaheer Khan called for National Duty. At the young age of 19, this teenager went on to take his 100th First Class wicket.
Soon Irfan was streamlined into the coveted MRF Pace Foundation. There under the keen watchful eyes of the legend Dennis Lillee, he was made into a complete bowler, with all the necessary guiles honed into him. At the Asian Under-19s Tournament last year (2003) he astonished Bangladesh with 9 for 16 (including a hat-trick).
This bright hardworking seamer was drafted into the Indian Squad to tour Australia in December 2003. Having come up against the minnows of world cricket, and being put up first up against the Awesome Aussies, the undisputed world champions was a Trial by Fire for this debutant. He did not fear the great names in the Aussie camp and gave his best shot at first attempt in the Adelaide test, (2nd of the series) which for the right reasons, is a historic test in Indian Cricketing history. India then underwent a sea of change, it had a new ball bowler who could rip through the opposition top order with early break throughs, and come back later to bowl at the DEATH.
Then came along the HISTORIC FRIENDSHIP SERIES between arch rivals India and Pakistan, where India went to Pakistan for a full fledged series, something not done since the time when Srikkanth took a team to Pakistan in 1989 (Sachin made his debut that series!). India proved that it did not have a “Pathan in every Galli”, but the only Pathan from their country could pack a punch! With Irfan picking up 2 wickets at least in every opening burst, India made sure they struck the Pakistani batting line-up at regular intervals in every match and eventually rode the wave on this speedster’s superb skills to claim both test and ODI series, something unheard of in Indian Cricket!
Pathan ended up with a handful of wickets in that series, easily the leading wicket taker of the series. Small wonder that he was voted find of the year for India!
Is this young lad is ready to step into the shoes of the greatest left armers of all time?? Well, It is too early to judge yet, however, it all boils down to Irfan’s temperament. If he sticks to his hard work and does the basics every game he plays in and just work a little on his batting, well, we are witnessing a new Wasim Akram Chaudhary in the making. Its upto the Indian team management to protect and preserve this little Gem of the Indian Peninsula!
For one, he certainly is no muck with the bat. He can surely bat himself according to the situation, as was seen during the swashbuckling knocks in Pakistan, and a patience personified knock in the Asia Cup Final. He has a wise head on young shoulders.