<p>"I came into international cricket at a pretty early age. I started playing at 19 and am still only 25. Time is with me and I have no doubt that I will make a comeback into the team soon," said Irfan.<br /><br />Irfan said he was under added pressure once he improved his batting after starting his career as a new ball bowler. But the Baroda player insisted he has confidence in his abilities to make a comeback into the Indian squad.<br /><br />"My role in the team changed and things changed. I started with the new ball, then bowled first change. Besides, I started batting as well. That added to the pressure. I have faith in my abilities and am confident of making a comeback," said the player who played his last ODI in February last year against Sri Lanka in Colombo.<br /><br />"I was hoping to return (to the team) soon. But unfortunately there are not many matches. I will play in the Corporate Trophy which will begin in some days. I will also participate in the state level matches," said Irfan who has not played a Test match since 2008.<br /><br />Irfan failed to find a place in the second string India squad that toured Zimbabwe recently despite having scored 397 runs at an average of nearly 50 and taken 22 wickets, at an average of 18.54 in six Ranji Trophy games while leading Baroda last season. <br /><br />Refusing to be bogged down by the setbacks, the Baroda player said his aim was to keep performing. "There is no limit to performance. If not selected you need to do more. I will keep performing," he said.<br /><br />"Disappointment is a part and parcel of every sportsman's life especially in India. There is a lot of competition here and these things will always be there," he added.<br /><br />Irfan said he got a boost from the fact that some quarters were in favour of including him and fellow-discards Ishant Sharma and S Sreesanth in the for the recently held Zimbabwe tour.<br /><br />"When people think that way, its quite good for us. We are lucky that people are talking about us. But everyone wants to be the best for the team. We need to keep doing our job," he said.<br /><br />Irfan said he was focusing in strengthening his body during the off-season. "After a good season, I have been busy rebuilding my house. But I have been spending at least an hour and half everyday in the gym. I am also planning to visit the NCA (National Cricket Academy at Bangalore) after 2-3 weeks," he said.<br /><br />The all-rounder said though he had plans to play county cricket in England, he did not get the necessary permission from the Cricket Board. <br /><br />"I was supposed to play county but could not get an NOC from the BCCI which is fair as well as we are coming (out) from a long season and the IPL. But maybe I will try again next year," Irfan said.<br /><br />Irfan said he was working on his bowling, by trying out a few new things, and batting as well as he aimed to be one of the best all-rounders in the world.<br /><br />"I have always been a mature bowler as far as variation is concerned. But I have learned more and more by playing and watching. I have got a lot of experience which is good. I am trying some new things, but not in terms of action," he said.<br /><br />"Besides, I am working on my batting as well. I dream to become one of the best all-rounders of the world of all time," he signed off.</p>
<p>"I came into international cricket at a pretty early age. I started playing at 19 and am still only 25. Time is with me and I have no doubt that I will make a comeback into the team soon," said Irfan.<br /><br />Irfan said he was under added pressure once he improved his batting after starting his career as a new ball bowler. But the Baroda player insisted he has confidence in his abilities to make a comeback into the Indian squad.<br /><br />"My role in the team changed and things changed. I started with the new ball, then bowled first change. Besides, I started batting as well. That added to the pressure. I have faith in my abilities and am confident of making a comeback," said the player who played his last ODI in February last year against Sri Lanka in Colombo.<br /><br />"I was hoping to return (to the team) soon. But unfortunately there are not many matches. I will play in the Corporate Trophy which will begin in some days. I will also participate in the state level matches," said Irfan who has not played a Test match since 2008.<br /><br />Irfan failed to find a place in the second string India squad that toured Zimbabwe recently despite having scored 397 runs at an average of nearly 50 and taken 22 wickets, at an average of 18.54 in six Ranji Trophy games while leading Baroda last season. <br /><br />Refusing to be bogged down by the setbacks, the Baroda player said his aim was to keep performing. "There is no limit to performance. If not selected you need to do more. I will keep performing," he said.<br /><br />"Disappointment is a part and parcel of every sportsman's life especially in India. There is a lot of competition here and these things will always be there," he added.<br /><br />Irfan said he got a boost from the fact that some quarters were in favour of including him and fellow-discards Ishant Sharma and S Sreesanth in the for the recently held Zimbabwe tour.<br /><br />"When people think that way, its quite good for us. We are lucky that people are talking about us. But everyone wants to be the best for the team. We need to keep doing our job," he said.<br /><br />Irfan said he was focusing in strengthening his body during the off-season. "After a good season, I have been busy rebuilding my house. But I have been spending at least an hour and half everyday in the gym. I am also planning to visit the NCA (National Cricket Academy at Bangalore) after 2-3 weeks," he said.<br /><br />The all-rounder said though he had plans to play county cricket in England, he did not get the necessary permission from the Cricket Board. <br /><br />"I was supposed to play county but could not get an NOC from the BCCI which is fair as well as we are coming (out) from a long season and the IPL. But maybe I will try again next year," Irfan said.<br /><br />Irfan said he was working on his bowling, by trying out a few new things, and batting as well as he aimed to be one of the best all-rounders in the world.<br /><br />"I have always been a mature bowler as far as variation is concerned. But I have learned more and more by playing and watching. I have got a lot of experience which is good. I am trying some new things, but not in terms of action," he said.<br /><br />"Besides, I am working on my batting as well. I dream to become one of the best all-rounders of the world of all time," he signed off.</p>
