Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently shared a lesser-known story from his playing days, revealing a tense moment in the dressing room over his batting position. Known for his skill as a left-arm pacer and handy batsman, Irfan enjoyed a successful career but admitted that not everything was smooth behind the scenes. He recalled an incident, possibly during a series against Sri Lanka or Pakistan, when a senior teammate got upset because Irfan was sent to bat at number three, a spot the senior player believed he deserved.
Irfan explained that the senior player thought he was a better batsman and took offense at being placed below Irfan in the batting order. The situation escalated to the point where the player physically grabbed Irfan’s jersey in frustration. As a young player, Irfan chose not to respond and didn’t name the senior player out of respect and to avoid unnecessary conflict, noting that friendships and rivalries in cricket are never permanent.
When asked if the incident involved any of India’s cricket legends like Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag, or Laxman, Irfan quickly clarified that it wasn’t any of them. The story highlighted the pressure and emotions that can surface in a competitive team environment, especially when young players are given responsibility in key positions.
