Irfan Pathan may have been a last-minute inclusion in the Indian ODI team currently touring Sri Lanka, but with his all-round performance in the third ODI against Sri Lanka has brought him in reckoning for a World T20 Cup berth, says a report in The Times Of india.
According to the report, a source in the team management indicated that Pathan's recent performances in Sri Lanka has been satisfying and if he can continue to contribute the way he is doing right now, his chances of making it to the Indian squad for the World T20 is certain.
Meanwhile a report in Indian Express says that ever since he’s returned to the Indian team in his latest comeback in December last year, Irfan Pathan has often managed to be at the centre of mini-cricketing debates. “Whether it has had to do with his batting position, the disparity in his swing-bowling ability or the inconsistency in his selection, he’s constantly been under the scanner,” says the report, adding that on Saturday, the spotlight was once again on the 27-year-old Baroda all-rounder at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
“This time though for the right reasons, as he took India home to a famous victory in the third ODI with a sensible unbeaten knock of 34 off 31 in the company of Suresh Raina, who was unconquered on 65. And having rediscovered his swing in the Emerald Isle, Pathan now aims to attain perfection. What he has dished out so far with the ball here has been impressive as well as encouraging. He has hit a good length outside the off-stump consistently and has managed to shape in deliveries more often than not. Pathan was the best bowler for India in the high-scoring opening ODI in Hambantota where he finished with figures of 2 for 37 in his 10 overs. India’s severe batting failure in the second ODI didn’t give him much of a chance to shine with the ball. In Colombo, he created pressure with the new ball and got an early breakthrough by getting Dinesh Chandimal trapped in front with an in-coming delivery. That is before his unbeaten 34 that was part of a 91-run partnership in 12 overs with Raina sealed the deal for India and justified his batting spot at No.7,” says the report.
Meanwhile after helping India overcome a daunting target in the third ODI against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium, Suresh Raina said it’s always nice to have runs under your belt at the start of the season," star batsman Suresh Raina said a day, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that after getting a half-century in the first game at Hambantota, Raina came to the party once again with a superlative innings and in company of Irfan Pathan helped India cross the finish line under lights on Saturday evening.
Talking aabout the pressure coming into the series, Raina said, “Pressure will always be there when you are representing the country. But I am now experienced enough to overcome the nerves and focus only on the job at hand. It was such a relief for the team to put up a big total in our first international game after over four months. There are always questions asked about the fitness and mental preparedness after a long break. But we answered them well. But the second game at Hambantota was a disaster. We lost wickets in a bunch right at the beginning and there was no coming back. It was good that we came back strongly on Saturday night. We will aim to clinch the series in the fourth game on Tuesday,” said Raina, admitting that sometimes he do get carried away and throw his wicket. “But with experience I am ensuring that I stay there till the end. Sometimes it comes off, other times it does not.”
