Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 8: Former Test Cricketer Irfan Pathan, who has been roped by Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) to serve the State’s Ranji Trophy Team as Player cum Mentor in the forthcoming season, has arrived in Jammu to bestow tips to the selected probable at GGM Science College Hostel ground, here from tomorrow.
The champion all-rounder was accorded a warm reception by the Coordinating Committee of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association comprising of Rajesh Gill, Rajesh Dhar and Jahanzaib Ahmed Hamal at Jammu Airport today.
Irfan was accompanied by Coach Milap Mewada, whose services have also been hired by Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association for the upcoming season.
In a freewheeling chat with this Correspondent here, former ace India all-rounder talked about his assignment, goal and zeal to produce international stuff from Jammu and Kashmir.
To a question as to how he sees the talent of Jammu and Kashmir cricketers after taking charge of the JKCA affairs as Mentor, Pathan said that J&K possesses immense cricketing talent but the need is to hone and fine-tune it properly by working on the fitness and vigour of the players, adding that he is here to work on the same.
“Talent, it is said, is what you possess and genius is what possesses you. You need geniuses to win mega events in sports. And to become genius is not everybody’s cup of tea. To become so, apart from talent and physical fitness, you need mental toughness. My goal is to bring that mental toughness among Jammu and Kashmir cricketers,” Pathan said.
Pathan, who has around 700 wickets and around 7000 runs in all formats of cricket including First Class, said that he believes in quality, rather than quantity, adding that the mentoring and coaching programme ought to be straight and sound.
He said among a good number of probable selected from various districts of the State in different age groups by JKCA, his job is to identify the talented bunch of cricketers, who will possess all that is required to keep the State’s flag high at the national scene.
Irfan, however said that the things will not be achieved overnight and expecting so is simply to cry for the moon.
To a question as to should we hope to see J&K Ranji Trophy team sealing berth into the knockout stage this season, Pathan said that he has no magic wand to do so, but will surely make the players to believe in themselves and play as a cohesive unit.
Former ace all-rounder of the Country said that at the higher and highest level, more than skill and talent, you need temperament, mental toughness and urge to achieve more, adding that you will hardly have the urge to achieve more, when you are not accustomed with the winning ways.
“I worked with a good bunch of cricketers during a State Level Ranji Trophy/U-23 Camp in Srinagar. I saw some cricketers, who possess all that is required to sparkle at the highest level. Some have immense fitness as they dealt with newly introduced BCCI’s Yo-Yo Test like anything. However, I got a feeling that JK cricketers in general, lack self belief and infusing the same in them is the need of the hour,” Irfan expressed.
Meanwhile, while talking to Excelsior, the Jammu based Ranji Trophy and Under-23 cricketers, who were part of the brief Camp held organised by JKCA in the Valley, lavished praise for the duo of Irfan and Milap for imparting top class training and bestowing important cricketing tips, which they thought will go a long way in helping them to achieve heights.
“Working with Irfan is a great experience. It was amazing to be part of the Camp. He is Mentor/Coach to almost a perfection,” the cricketers said.
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