Irfan Pathan on His International Career Ending and MS Dhoni's Role

The Dropping Incident

• 📅 In 2009, during the New Zealand tour, Irfan Pathan was informed by coach Gary Kirsten that he was being dropped despite playing well, as Yusuf Pathan was preferred.
• 🏏 This decision came after Irfan and his brother had secured a match-winning performance against Sri Lanka, where Irfan scored 33 not out off 16 balls and took wickets.
• 🚫 Irfan was benched for multiple matches in New Zealand, even as India won the series, leading him to question the reasons.

Seeking Explanations

• 🗣️ Irfan directly asked Gary Kirsten for the reason behind his exclusion from the playing XI.
• 🤷 Kirsten's response was that "There are things not in my hand," and he refused to disclose whose decision it was.

Captain's Call

• 🎯 Irfan understood that the final decision regarding the playing eleven rests with the captain, coach, and team management.
• 🧢 He confirmed that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the captain of the Indian team at that particular time.
• 📞 Irfan implied that it was Dhoni's call not to include him in the team at that moment.

Player's Mindset

• 💪 Irfan believes that every player should have the desire to play and fight for their spot in the team.
• ⚠️ He criticized the mindset of players who are content sitting on the bench, receiving match fees without the pressure of playing.