Beleaguered cricketer Irfan Pathan stoutly defended himself against criticism, saying
he remained positive about a successful performance in the world cup despite
question marks over his form and fitness.
"I have been answering these queries about the loss of
in-swing and drop in pace for a long time now. I am focusing on maintaining
a tight line and length in my bowling before looking for swing or pace,"
22-year old Pathan said at a press conference.
"In-swing or out-swing, it all depends on various factors like weather
conditions and the pitch. I am trying to remain positive and concentrate on
picking up wickets for the team."
The Baroda left-arm pacer was sent back home midway through
the recent tour of South Africa with an advice to sort out his bowling
problems.
He was brought back for the last one-dayer against the West
Indies but a soreness in the bowling shoulder prevented him from playing in
the four matches against Sri Lanka, leading to a diktat from the BCCI
that he should prove his fitness by playing in a Deodhar trophy one-dayer before
boarding the flight to the Caribbean.
"I will be fully match-fit before the World Cup as we
have four practice matches before the event gets underway," the youngster
put up a brave front.
Pathan said he might have been robbed off vital match practice by the niggle
but took confidence from his creditable show in the Ranji Trophy for Baroda
during the brief lay-off from the Indian team.
"There is no substitute for match practice. We can bowl any number of
balls in the nets but there is not substitute for bowling in a match situation,"
he said.
Coach Greg Chappell famously said during India's visit
to the West Indies last year that Pathan was low on confidence.
The 58-year old former Australian captain has seen to it that
Pathan had all help coming his way, including sessions with sports psychologist
Rudi Webster and a number for former players like Andy Roberts, Jeff
Thomson and Wasim Akram.
Some have said that Pathan's has been a case of too many cooks spoiling the
broth but the bowler himself denied it.
"Cricket is a game where we cannot stop learning. I will keep on consulting
everyone and listen to everybody's suggestion. But it is going to be up to me
to decide what best suits my bowling," he said.
There was the inevitable question about his role as an all-rounder.
"I have said many times that my primary role is the team
is that of a bowler. It is God's grace that I can also bat, and that is a bonus,"
Pathan said.
Pathan offered a dead bat to a question on the delay in the signing of player
contracts.
"Wearing the Indian cap and jersey is motivation enough
to perform at our best. We will work hard to do well and perform to our best
in the World Cup," was his diplomatic response on the issue.
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