Mumbai: Irfan Pathan’s promising career as a lethal bowler went on a downhill during Greg Chappell’s controversial two-year tenure as Indian coach. Many believe Irfan’s elevation up the order as batsman confused the all-rounder’s mind and his bowling went awry from there. He was also advised a few modifications in his bowling which didn’t work for him.
But Irfan who along with his elder brother Yusuf has joined hands with the former Australian skipper for the conduct of his newly launched Cricket Academy of Pathans (CAP) thinks Chappell had no role in his dip in form as a bowler.
“This is a media perspective. I think differently,” Irfan said at the launch of his academy here on Thursday.
Chappell had developed a few problems with seniors in the Indian team but he had also paved the way for many youngsters in the team. “I have played with Greg and I know how well he can share his knowledge with the kids. So we decided to venture with him,” Irfan added.
The Academy will start functioning from next month-end in Pathan brothers hometown Baroda. Chappell and Australian Sports Consultant Cameron Tradell will be the
chief mentors of the academy. “Chappell will devise the curriculum and would coach the coaches of the Academy. He will come to India also occasionally,” he said.
Pathan brothers though made it clear that this is not the end of their professional cricket career. “We have about 5-7 years of active cricket still left in us. We will only oversee the things in the Academy. This has been our vision for a long time and we wanted to give something back to the game,” Irfan said.
“We already have identified a few schools which have infrastructure and will set over there. The course will be for a duration of 8-9 weeks after which the child can go for the advanced course. It is not stationary and we will keep having these courses throughout the year. We plan to have 50 academies across the country by the end of next year,” he added.
“We will offer the best practice that is required for an aspiring cricketer. The academy will also focus on nutrition, psychology and physical developments of the kids. The coaches will also be trained to gauge the strength and weakness of a kid on the field and will be guided accordingly,”
