Aiming for return to the Indian side, Irfan Pathan has denied that his efforts to be an all-rounder cost him his spot in the team.

By Garima Verma

"That's not true. I have never neglected one for the other and have always been focussed on my bowling," Irfan, who was once hailed by cricket-lovers and critics alike for his ability to swing the ball both ways in any condition, said.

"People can say anything but I don't believe that my batting hurt my bowling and my place in the Indian side," said the suave Baroda boy.

"There's no point in giving that too much thought. After all, I can't control everything.

"Likewise, I can't decide on the selection for the team," Irfan explained, adding that he was now just focussing on performing well and consistently, something that would "definitely help in making a comeback into the Indian side".

"Everyone learns from his mistakes, so have I. Thankfully, I have a wonderful family and friends who helped me during those tough times. I am working hard on my bowling.

"I have been watching videos and trying to work on the way the ball leaves my hand to make my bowling more effective," the left-arm medium pacer declared.

With the ICC World T20 likely to be his next opportunity to once again don the blue jersey, Irfan - who was compared with Pakistan legend Wasim Akram soon after breaking into the Indian side at the tender age of 19 - remains adamant that he is taking things one step at a time.

"I do have that in mind but it's still time to go for the World Cup. There's so much domestic cricket before that and then the IPL next month," he said.

"I take life day-by-day now. I just aim to keep performing to the best of my abilities and will only think about the World Cup when the time is right."

Inspired by the way S Sreesanth found his way back into the side; Irfan said that he was sure that he would be able to do something similar very soon.

"I know it's going to happen one day. It's not that I am trying anything extra but just the fact that I have been performing well in the domestic cricket should help me achieve that," Irfan said.