Irfan Pathan pins hope on IPL performance for India comeback

Bengaluru: India discard Irfan Pathan said he didn't picked enough wickets in the last two domestic seasons to be in Team India but hoped to earn back his place with a good performance in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) beginning in April.

"I haven't picked up enough wickets in the last two domestic seasons to be in the India team, but I am hoping to be back in the reckoning with a good performance in the IPL beginning April," he told PTI.

Pathan, who has been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad for 2015 IPL Auction, said he could bowl hardly two to three overs due to injuries in 2014 IPL but exuded confidence of doing well in the eighth edition.

"IPL will be very crucial because everyone will be watching that. It will be great because I have bowled lot of overs in the domestic cricket this season. I am very confident of doing good in IPL," he added.

The 30-year-old from Baroda said he is swinging the ball well and his new action is also close to the old one and he is able to trouble the batsmen.

"I think the swing is already there and it was evident when I played against Sri Lanka in 2011. I could trouble Tillakaratne Dilshan with the late swing," he said.

"Majority of my action I have right now is very close to my old action. Old or new action really does not matter. What matters is what is your wrist position while you are bowling.

"Not a single bowler in the history of the game has ended up with same bowling action," he said.

Pathan said former pacer and noted coach T A Sekhar has been helping him in improving his bowling, but this season he has been spending a lot of time on his feel rather than watching videos.

"T A Sekhar has been there to help me to improve my bowling, but I have been spending a lot of time on my feel rather than watching videos - I am working on my feel more than anything else," he said.

Replying to a query, Pathan said he is keeping in mind the all rounder's slot which is still up for grabs in Team India. "I am definitely keeping this in the mind, and I am working towards it," he said.

IPL 8 will be played from April 8 to May 24.