Apr 06, 2004 08:46 PM
5811 Views
(Updated Apr 06, 2004 08:49 PM)
Although, I dont want to sound very political, but cant help the feeling that a Muslim from a very modest background in a riot hit state making it big in Indian team is what politician in India would have been dreaming about.
Politics apart, his rise has been a fairy tale, a tale which every one likes sharing. Rather than his background, I would like to emphasise on his cricketing prowess. Irfan is a old fashioned bowler with aggression of modern day cricketer.
The emphasis in his bowling is on smooth action, release of the ball and length. He swings the ball both ways, he moves in the air and off the pitch, has a good bouncer. The fact that, he likes to start off with a Bouncer in every spell speaks volumes about his aggression. I have even seen him smiling and joking with the batsman after the delivering the ball. This might not look aggressive when compared to Mcgrath or Andrew Nell, but surely irritates the batsman much more.
The magic spell in under 19 world cup put him in lime light and Australia did wonders to him. Australian tour on debut is the toughest one and learning is tremendous. It makes the player mentally tough and rugged to face any situation. This is definitely paying off in the historic tour of Pakistan. His action is smooth and release is very good. He does not have a jump like Zaheer or a stretch like Nehra, which means he is some what less prone to the injuries. He does not look like putting stress on any one part of the body. Most of the experts feel that Irfan resembles Akram in his early days. Though Akram was much faster when he started and always had a fast arm action, if Irfan can achieve even 50% of what Akram achieved, he would end up being a great bowler.
His batting is a revelation and already people are talking about another Kapil Dev in making. Although, he has temperament and technique, it will be some time before we can dream of Irfan becoming another Kapil Dev. The short innings he played at Lahore proves that he has talent, guts and temeperament to stay at the crease for long. How he shapes up largely depends on how the management handles his batting for the next season or so. He should be primarily seen as a bowler who can bat well. He should be told to get atleast 20-25 runs. What ever he gets more is a bonus and one should never complain if he fails to get more than 20-25 runs.
Irfan's statements in the media shows that he is consciously trying to keep his feet on the ground. This is really a good sign. We all have seen many cricketers who got sudden fame and failed to handle it. For example, had Sivaramakrishnan handled the fame well, he would have become the most destructive leg spinner the world has ever seen (Believe me Shane Warne is nothing when compared to talent Lakshman Sivaramakrishnan possessed). This is where players like Sachin and Dravid need to make a serious contribution making people stand firmly on the ground.
If Irfan keeps his fitness and head in tact and plays for India till about 2015, he will be surely regarded as one of the greatest all rounders India has produced.
Keep going Irfan.
