Disappointed Irfan Pathan Opens Up After Being Dropped By Baroda

Out-of-favour fast-bowler Irfan Pathan has expressed his disappointment after his shocking omission from the Baroda squad. Pathan was named the captain of the team before the start of the season but has been stripped of the captaincy and dropped from the side after just two games.

Pathan, the first Indian fast-bowler to take a hat-trick in Tests, said that he is as fit as ever before stating that he is clueless regarding what has gone wrong which resulted in his ouster. Not only that Pathan also said that he would have happily stepped aside and would have played for another team had he been told that his services were needed before the start of the season.

“I am as fit as ever and there is no issue with my performances and commitment to serve Team Baroda. I felt very proud when I was made the captain and was told that I would be the perfect mentor to the youngsters. I have worked hard with the boys for the last couple of months and they are very happy with whatever we have been doing. I really don’t know what has gone wrong after just two games. Had I been told that my services won’t be required before the domestic season started, I would have happily stepped aside. Although I love Baroda and take a lot of pride in representing the team, I might have gone and played for another team. Be it for Team India or Team Baroda, I have always given my 100 percent. I am a fighter and no matter what happens, I will remain one,” he told Ahmedabad Times.

Not wishing Good Morning & not being a YES man to ur boss can go against u…but don’t bother,keep doing ur work #keepfighting #keeptrying

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 29, 2017

Meanwhile, a source close to the Baroda Cricket Association has hinted that the reason behind Pathan’s ouster is definitely not related to fitness or performance.

“This is a harsh decision. One must respect a senior player like Irfan, who has contributed immensely to Indian cricket and Baroda cricket. There were differences of opinion between him and the selectors before Baroda took on Andhra Pradesh. A day before the match, three selectors approached him and said that a certain spinner should be picked. The coach was also present and Irfan wasn’t in favour of picking that player, as his chances of success on a pacer-friendly wicket were minimum. He felt it wasn’t fair on the youngster but these selectors insisted, saying that the player in question could be dropped from the team for the next game. With such mentality, how can one build a team for the future?,” the source told The Times of India.

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