The former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan has said that he is only as mentor with J&K Cricket team and not as coach. He also said that he is impressed with the fitness of players and also has got no time for controversies.
Pathan who is back in Kashmir when asked about his change of role from being player-cum-mentor to only mentor this season with J&K Cricket, Irfan Pathan said it is nothing new for him and role has not changed much. Last year as a player he couldn’t do as much as he had set the standards for his own self but still emerged as second best scorer for J&K in Ranji Trophy. Pathan scored 428 runs and took 19 wickets for J&K last year in Ranji trophy. Despite that he this time chose to be as mentor only and see groom J&K youngsters.
“I am only mentor this year and not coach-cum-mentor. Milap Mewada is there as coach and I don’t need to boast about his credentials and work ethics here. I will be this year as mentor for J&K boys. It is similar job like what I did last year but this time I will make sure to guide J&K boys upto my best ability,” he said.
Impressed with Fitness Improvement
“I am very happy to see boys doing well and this camp has certainly helped them. Sudarshan who is here is an experienced guy and knows his job perfectly well. He will not be with the team all along but will work in different phases. He will set a program for each individual and players will need to stick to that and train accordingly,” he said.
“After being part of camp for one month, players who struggling to score 15 in Yo-Yo fitness test, have gone on to cross the set levels easily, indicating the effectiveness of the camp. The players need to continue to work hard on similar lines and the long-term results will be there,” Pathan commented while giving examples of positives coming out from fitness camp.
Lot of positive things happening in J&K cricket
Irfan, former team India cricketer said that there are a lot of positive things happening in J&K cricket and one should praise the efforts of JKCA CEO and Administrator retired Justice CK Prasad for that.
“I don’t want to talk about the internal matters of JKCA but I would like to praise JKCA CEO and Administrator CK Prasad for his efforts. He is doing a wonderful job and players are happy with the things happening around. They are trying to provide players best available facilities and training. This is what players want and they are getting that,” he said.
No time for controversies
Last year, some of the former players who were working with JKCA as selectors had resigned alleging inference from the former team India all-rounder in the selection process. Later, JKCA roped in outside State selectors who did the selection.
“It is not about the Irfan Pathan’s personal gain or JKCA official. It is all about J&K cricket and its players. If they are getting benefit then everything is going well,” Pathan said.
“Neither have I wanted to go into history neither what people are saying. Everyone knows about that. I have nothing to do with that. My job is to ensure than players are getting benefited, doing well and if that is not happening then I have no work here,” he said while signing off.