<p>Keen to get back into the national side with consistent domestic performances, Baroda T20 skipper Irfan Pathan said he is doing all he can to keep his injury-ravaged body fit while waiting for a call-up from the selectors.<br /><br />After a decent Ranji performance and good form in Vijay Hazare ODIs, Irfan continued his all-round showing in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches. The southpaw has managed 171 runs in eight games and bagged 15 scalps to be the leading wicket-taker in the tournament so far.<br /><br />"Talking about my personal form, I thought to myself that I will not talk about my comeback and I maintained that throughout the season. Whoever plays first-class and domestic cricket, the aim is to play for India. For me, playing for the country is ultimate. I am no different and I want to do that as well, but I don't want to talk too much about it.</p>.<p><br />"My job is to go out there and perform for whichever team I play for. Right now I am playing for Baroda. I wanted to take a five-wicket haul and I did that in my first T20 game and got a six-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy as well. I wanted to score lots of runs and win matches. As a player I can make sure I keep performing and stay fit," Irfan told BCCI.TV.</p>.<p><br />"Performing and learning is something that never stops. Along the way, if that (India call-up) happens, well and good. I would be lying if I say I don't think about it. I do think about it, but don't want to talk much about it," he added.<br /><br />Having last played an ODI for India in August 2012, Irfan went out of favour only to struggle with form and fitness all this while. But now, the 31-year-old player is feeling confident as ever.<br /><br />"I am very happy with the way I have gone about my business in all three formats of the game. There have been many positives for me. I have been taking the side till the very end with a S/R of close to 150 and then staying not-out. I have also taken wickets at crucial times.<br /><br />"My fitness has been very good. When I played the Ranji Trophy this season, there were a few things happening and I don't want to talk about it.<br /><br />"But my fitness was pretty good and I was fit and available. I bowled 20-25 overs in each innings of the Ranji Trophy matches. That's my fitness there. When you bowl 20-25 overs in an innings, you easily bowl about 40-45 overs in a match. I have been able to do that with my batting as well. I am really happy with my fitness and that has actually helped me play better cricket," he said.<br /></p>
<p>Keen to get back into the national side with consistent domestic performances, Baroda T20 skipper Irfan Pathan said he is doing all he can to keep his injury-ravaged body fit while waiting for a call-up from the selectors.<br /><br />After a decent Ranji performance and good form in Vijay Hazare ODIs, Irfan continued his all-round showing in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches. The southpaw has managed 171 runs in eight games and bagged 15 scalps to be the leading wicket-taker in the tournament so far.<br /><br />"Talking about my personal form, I thought to myself that I will not talk about my comeback and I maintained that throughout the season. Whoever plays first-class and domestic cricket, the aim is to play for India. For me, playing for the country is ultimate. I am no different and I want to do that as well, but I don't want to talk too much about it.</p>.<p><br />"My job is to go out there and perform for whichever team I play for. Right now I am playing for Baroda. I wanted to take a five-wicket haul and I did that in my first T20 game and got a six-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy as well. I wanted to score lots of runs and win matches. As a player I can make sure I keep performing and stay fit," Irfan told BCCI.TV.</p>.<p><br />"Performing and learning is something that never stops. Along the way, if that (India call-up) happens, well and good. I would be lying if I say I don't think about it. I do think about it, but don't want to talk much about it," he added.<br /><br />Having last played an ODI for India in August 2012, Irfan went out of favour only to struggle with form and fitness all this while. But now, the 31-year-old player is feeling confident as ever.<br /><br />"I am very happy with the way I have gone about my business in all three formats of the game. There have been many positives for me. I have been taking the side till the very end with a S/R of close to 150 and then staying not-out. I have also taken wickets at crucial times.<br /><br />"My fitness has been very good. When I played the Ranji Trophy this season, there were a few things happening and I don't want to talk about it.<br /><br />"But my fitness was pretty good and I was fit and available. I bowled 20-25 overs in each innings of the Ranji Trophy matches. That's my fitness there. When you bowl 20-25 overs in an innings, you easily bowl about 40-45 overs in a match. I have been able to do that with my batting as well. I am really happy with my fitness and that has actually helped me play better cricket," he said.<br /></p>