Irfan Pathan entered international cricket as a prodigy. His inbuilt talent and willingness to work hard converted him into India’s premier fast bowler of those times. His abilities were not restricted with the ball in hand and this is where the team management cashed in. Pathan was frequently promoted up the order and he repaid the management’s faith by scoring runs.

From being India’s top swing bowler, Pathan earned the title of an ‘all-rounder’ within a couple of years. For some, he was the find to India’s long search of a seaming all-rounder. A search, which is perhaps, still on.

Bowling, however, remained Pathan’s forte. Concerns started to begin when Pathan was not consistent with the ball. Then came the stage of going out (due to, both, injuries and poor form) and coming into the team. Pathan last donned the Indian ODI jersey in August 2012, against Sri Lanka at Pallekele, Kandy. He registered his second five-wicket haul, 10-0-61-5, in that match.

Irfan Pathan has scored 2,821 runs across formats for India. With the ball, he has picked 301 wickets across formats during his career. At 32, the skills which he is known for might be a little less, but the hope of a comeback is still alive and running among his fans and more importantly, himself. Watch the video of Top 10 balls bowled by him in his career: