Vadodara cricketer Irfan Pathan announced retires from all forms of cricket

Known as Baroda bomber during his peak, Irfan Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on 4th January 2020 on Saturday. He played 29 Tests, 120 One day internationals and 24 T20Is for India and finished with 301 international wickets.

He made his debut in Adelaide against Australia in December 2003 and took the maiden wicket of Matthew Hayden. He proved his mettle in all formats after a impressive tour of Pakistan and since than remained a regular feature in the Indian team.

He was one of the finest all-rounders and few times bat as an opener or at No 3 in his career. However in the latter half of his career he was in and out of the team and find it difficult to get him in the side on regular basis. Having played most of his cricket for Baroda Cricket Association he shifted base to Jammu & Kashmir as a professional last season and mentor the players.

We all know Baroda cricketer Irfan Pathan rose to become one of the fearsome swing bowler of his time. Even Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram also praised him as one of the best swing bowlers of the era. However ups and downs in the career of Irfan Pathan gives an idea to a former cricketer from Vadodara to done a PhD on him. The thesis shows the cricketing life of the cricketer who becomes inspiration for the upcoming cricketers.

Tanvir Shaikh former coach of Baroda Women cricket team and a state level player chose to write a thesis on the cricketer which she feels is the inspiration for the upcoming cricketers. She said the idea came to her mind as she saw him raised from ground to top and achieves the name before the injuries saw him ups and downs in his career. As she saw him since childhood it was easy for her to give the inside truth more effectively in her thesis.

Shaikh feature Irfan Pathan as a player, person and inspiration to the youngsters in her PhD and gives the in depth analysis on his cricketing life.

Irfan Pathan is also a brand ambassador for the annual Vadodara Marathon held every year in the city.