JOIN USSeamer Irfan Pathan says his chat with team mentor VVS Laxman inspired him to produce a match-winning performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League match against Mumbai Indians here.
It was Irfan who stopped the rampaging Keiron Pollard from turning the game in Mumbai’s favour in the last over, returning impressive figures of 2/10 and securing a stunning win for his side.
“Today (Wednesday), I had a good chat with Laxman bhai before the game. He said, ‘No matter what you do outside the park, you need that fire and aggression between the 22 yards; that’s what counts’. That struck me. His words have always helped me out and they did today again,” the left-arm seamer said after the game.
He said this performance will inspire him to do better in the coming matches.
“I didn’t bowl much in the previous games and I thought I might not bowl even today.
But then, Pollard got going and that gave me an opportunity to bowl.
This performance is going to take me a long way in the tournament.
Coming back from injury is never easy, but when you start giving performances like this, the process of regaining your rhythm is faster,” he was quoted as saying by IPL’s official website.
Seeking to make a comeback to the national team Irfan said he was all fired up ahead of the game against MI.
“I am a bowler and I know what I am capable of doing. To be a bowler, you have to have that fire. If you don’t have it, you might as well just go and bat. I understand that you must earn the trust of your captain and show that you are improving continuously.”
Irfan was satisfied that his yorkers landed on the right spot during his crucial spell.
“There were a couple of people – Shikhar and Sammy – who wanted to tell me things and help me form plans. But I tried to keep my head clear. Then Steyn came to me and said, ‘Whatever you do, just make sure you focus all your energy in that’'.