Winning against Pakistan is special, says Irfan Pathan

India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared a few words regarding India’s prospects of defending the ICC Champions Trophy which begins on June 1 in the UK. India will kick-off their campaign with a clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4.

Pathan was part of the successful team which won the ICC Champions Trophy in its previous edition in 2013. India defeated hosts England in a rain-curtailed final which was eventually played as a 20-over game. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Irfan Pathan spoke about India’s ability to retain the Champions Trophy under Virat Kohli’s leadership this year.

“I don’t know about regaining the trophy but I think India will do well. It’s important for the bowlers to be fit and ready and that is the case. Our bowlers are ready with all the IPL action. When you keep playing cricket that’s what matters irrespective of the format,” Pathan said.

Bowlers will be key

“The bowlers that are going to England are in good form. Even as far as the conditions go, ICC will be looking at the pitches so they won’t be as seaming as they can be when you are playing bilaterally. It will support bowlers more than the batsmen but our bowlers will do well,” he added.

When asked whether or not India will be able to switch lengths in time to suit English conditions, Pathan said, “Yes, it’s about finding the right length and our bowlers are professional enough to find it quickly.”

Being a pacer himself, Irfan Pathan’s success story began in Australia. He was also a key member of the Indian team when they toured Pakistan back in 2006. Pathan had bagged a rare hat-trick in the opening over of the third Test in Karachi. Team India have a new-found death overs specialist in Jasprit Bumrah. Irfan Pathan heaped praises for Bumrah and also spoke about the utility of the India’s pacers in English conditions.

“Bumrah has been the best with yorkers in the country but even the way Bhuvneshwar Kumar is bowling and taking the responsibility of being the lead bowler in IPL. Mohammed Shami the way he is hitting the seam straight, only few bowlers have that kind of wrist. Umesh Yadav has been fantastic in the last Test season. So all the bowlers are in top form,” Irfan Pathan said.

Pathan on the India-Pakistan opener

On India’s opening game against Pakistan, which is often dubbed ‘the mother of all battles’, Pathan said, “Yeah, India-Pakistan is the mother of all matches. It’s fantastic to be part of these matches against Pakistan. I have been part of many as well. Winning against Pakistan is very special. It’s always been close to my heart when I won against them for my country. I am sure the team would be feeling the same and maybe more and we are doing well against them. The way we are playing only a few teams can beat us.”

Irfan Pathan, however, made it clear that players don’t involve the fact that the two countries are at loggerheads at diplomatic levels. He mentioned that despite border tensions, players treat it purely as a game of cricket.

“The players treat it differently. They treat it as a match. Of course, back of the mind things do go on but we don’t let it come in front. We are sports people and have a different mindset altogether,” Pathan said.

Finally, Irfan Pathan had a word on Virat Kohli’s leadership and the kind of confidence he inspires in players. “I am pretty sure the kind of leader Virat is and with his captaincy skills he makes me really happy. He makes every member feel part of the team which is the way it should be. I am sure India is in safe hands and we will do very well,” Pathan concluded.