Irfan Pathan chalks out rehab plan

MUMBAI: On an average, top Indian cricketers spend around 250-300 days on a cricket field. Be it their international commitments, commitment towards their Indian Premier League (IPL) teams or their involvement in domestic cricket, cricketers endure a choc-a-bloc schedule. And to be able to sustain these rigorous playing hours and constant travelling, they need a good support system in place. So, while the players have a great support staff to back them up while on International duty or IPL, there's not enough support when playing domestic competitions. Keeping injuries at bay becomes difficult then.

India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is a case in point. He had to miss out on the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy because of a recent hip injury. And for a cricketer who is trying to make a comeback in the national set-up, such injuries can be career-threatening. Pathan, though, doesn't want to take chances. Soon, he will hire a personal physiotherapist to take care of his fitness needs throughout the year.

"I got injured twice this year, that too at a time when my career was going to another level. But I have a long way to go so I have decided to hire a personal physio who can be around throughout the year and take care of my body," Pathan who was in the city on Monday, said. "I am hoping to get fit within a month, start with the Ranji Trophy matches and then hopefully try and reclaim my place in the Indian team. And to be able to be completely fit, I need to have a good physio. A physio who knows my body well and who will be around whenever I need him," he added.

A physio will be a huge help for Pathan who will turn 29 later this month. But there have been many who have been instrumental in the all-rounder's development since he made his international debut against Australia in December 2003. One among them is Sachin Tendulkar.

"I have learnt a lot from him. He used to field at mid-on or mid-off and his inputs were really helpful. He used to even tell me what length to bowl while bowling reverse swing. Obviously he has played a big, big role in the early years of my international career," Pathan said.

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Shweta Pandey

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