Indian selectors made me an oldie at 30, didn’t communicate with me: Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, lashed out at the Indian selectors for sidelining him when he was merely 30 years old. The southpaw vented his frustration, saying that he didn’t get any sort of communication, either from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the selectors. Irfan burst on the scene back in 2003 and emerged as one of the brightest prospects.

He was also the Player of the Match in the final of the 2007 World Cup against Pakistan in Johannesburg. However, after 2012 when he was around 28, he didn’t get to play again for the national team. Earlier this year, the left-hander announced his retirement. The now 35-year-old reckons that the selectors don’t rope in new players after they have passed their 30s.

He put forth the example of Australia’s Michael Hussey, who scored 12,398 runs at the highest level, to opine that a player can shine for the national teams even after the age of 30. Irfan expressed his grief during an Instagram Live session with Suresh Raina on Saturday, May 9.

There’s no one to communicate at all, says Irfan Pathan

“Mindset in India is different from England and Australia. I remember Michael Hussey made his international debut at the age of 29, he became one of the greats for Australia when he finished his career, he’s remembered as Mr. cricket. But, in India, no player makes a debut at the age of 30, selectors will not entertain such players,” Irfan was quoted as saying.

Irfan also feels that those, who aren’t contracted by the BCCI and are above 30 years, should be allowed to ply their trade in domestic T20 leagues. For the time being, as per the BCCI policy, a cricketer can take part in foreign tournaments only after announcing their retirement.

“Some BCCI official came to Baroda Cricket Association and said that I am not in top 30 players, why am I being selected for Baroda team. According to me, the players who are above 30 years, who are not in BCCI radar should get a chance to play two overseas leagues.

“Selectors made me ‘buddha’ at the age of 30. There’s no communication from the board and selectors. If they say ‘Irfan, you give your best for one year, and you can be available for Team India’, I will obviously give my best by leaving everything aside, but there’s no one to communicate at all,” the veteran added.