'There are things that are not in my hand..' - Irfan Pathan makes huge revelation about his exit from international cricket

Former India pacer, Irfan Pathan has showed remorse recalling his snub from Indian team back in 2009. Pathan was dropped from the New Zealand series in 2009 and he has lamented saying that the move came despite his match winning performance alongside brother Yusuf Pathan in a T20I against Sri Lanka.

While discussing missing out on a place in the Indian team, Pathan recalled the conversation with the then Head Coach, Gary Kirsten and did the guess work as to who was behind his snub from the team. He also took into account that the captain’s decision was also crucial behind the decision. Irfan Pathan, while addressing his surprising snub from the team also added that Kirsten posed himself as helpless in the situation. The left arm pacer also further said that Kirsten was vocal about his inability to influence the decision.

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“In New Zealand, I was benched for the first match, the second match, and the third match as well. The fourth match was a draw because of rain. I wasn’t in the final match either. Then I asked Gary sir why I had been dropped. If there was something I needed to improve, he could tell me, but I wanted to know the reason I was left out,” said Pathan in conversation with The Lallantop.

The playing XI is decided by the captain’s choice: Irfan Pathan

The former India all rounder also said that Gary Kirsten had given him two reasons, mentioning that there were things not in his control. Pathan explained that those were Kirsten’s exact words, and when he asked whose control it was in, Kirsten did not reveal it. However, Pathan already knew whose control it was in. He stated that the playing XI was decided by the captain, along with the coach and management, and at that time, MS Dhoni was the captain. Pathan added that he would not comment on whether the decision was right or wrong, as every captain had the right to run the team in his own way.

“Kirsten gave me two reasons. He said, 'There are things that are not in my hand.’ Those were Gary’s exact words. I asked whose hands it was in, but he didn’t tell me. I already knew whose hands it was in. The playing XI is decided by the captain’s choice. The decision rests with the captain, coach, and management. Dhoni was the captain at that time. I won’t get into whether that decision was right or wrong, because every captain has the right to run the team in his own way,” he added.