Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has revealed that it was Sachin Tendulkar’s idea to promote him to number three. Tendulkar had advised the former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid that Pathan should be sent at one down in the batting order. It is anticipated that it was former Indian coach Greg Chappell’s idea of promoting the all-rounder in the batting order.
However, Pathan has squashed such speculations. In fact, it is also believed by many cricket pundits that Chappell spoiled Pathan’s career in an attempt to make him an all-rounder. However, the former Baroda player don’t think so.
Pathan revealed that Sachin saw the talent in him that he can bat up the order. The left-hander was given leverage to play freely and he tried to take the attack on the opposition. Pathan had a good batting technique and thus Sachin wanted Dravid to make the most of it.
Pathan scored 1544 runs in his ODI career of 120 matches at an average of 23.39. However, his numbers significantly improve while batting at one change. The left-hander scored 487 runs in 18 ODI matches at an average of 28.64 while batting at one down.
Speaking on Raunak Kapoor’s Youtube show ‘Beyond the Field’, Pathan was quoted saying “I had said this after I had announced my retirement as well. Those who talk about Greg Chappell spoiling my career, by sending me as an allrounder at No. 3 and all these things. Actually, it was Sachin paaji’s idea. He advised Rahul Dravid to send me at No. 3. He said ‘he (Irfan) has the power to hit sixes, can take on the new ball and can play the fast bowlers well too”.
“It’s not true that Greg Chappell spoiled my career. Since he was not from India, it is easier to make him a punching bag.”
Irfan Pathan had recently lashed out at the selectors for not giving him enough chances. Pathan had shown his disappointment that he was not in contention for national selection despite decent renditions at the domestic level. In fact, Pathan last played for the national team when he was only 27 years old and had also received the Man of the match award in his swansong ODI.
Irfan Pathan had made headlines with his ability to swing the ball both ways. Pathan also had decent credentials as a batsman and took the challenge of batting at number three. The left-hander scored 1105 runs in 29 Test matches at an average of 31.57 in his Test career.
