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Irfan Pathan at 41: Revisiting the golden days of India’s former star all-rounder

Soumyajit Dutta

Irfan Pathan [Source: @FilmtoFinale/X.com]Irfan Pathan [Source: @FilmtoFinale/X.com]

Iconic India all-rounder Irfan Pathan turned 41 today, on October 27, 2025. The, now-broadcaster cum cricket expert, talismanic all-rounder, has been a vital cog behind many of India's match-winning stories. With both the bat and the ball, Irfan Pathan have equally mesmerised just like his elder brother Yusuf Pathan.

From test cricket dominance to white-ball, Irfan has been a formidable presence for opponents during his tenure. Today, on his birthday, let's take a look at some of his most memorable all-round brilliance in international cricket.

5) vs New Zealand (2005) - 3 wickets and 50 runs

During the 2005 Videocon Triangular Series, India faced a gritty New Zealand side, where Irfan Pathan's all-round brilliance once again came to the forefront. Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 215, even though Pathan dented the top order and then dismantled the middle order by dismissing Scott Styris and Hamish Marshall. 

Pathan bagged three wickets for 34 runs from his eight overs, and while coming in to bat at number 10, he produced a valiant 50 off just 61 balls under pressure. Though India lost the match, being bundled out for just 164 runs, Pathan's all-round performance remained the standout for the team.

4) vs Zimbabwe (2005) - 5 wickets and 52 runs

In the first Test at Bulawayo back in September 2005, Irfan Pathan played a crucial role in dismantling the hosts' batting lineup. Batting first, Zimbabwe was flattened by Pathan, who tore through the top, middle, and lower order with a five-wicket haul for just 58 runs. 

Zimbabwe was bowled out for 279, and India, coming in to take the lead, saw VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly anchor the innings with the bat. Showcasing his all-round brilliance, Irfan Pathan also shone with a half-century, scoring 52 runs off 103 balls to contribute to India’s total of 554 runs.

3) vs England (2006) - 4 wickets and 36 runs

During an ODI series against England, Irfan Pathan showcased his brilliance at the top, coming in to bat at number 3 immediately after Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. Pathan played a gritty 36-run knock off 63 balls following the early dismissal of Sehwag in the 7th over.

After contributing with the bat, Pathan made an impact with the ball while defending India’s total of 294. He dismissed Andrew Strauss at the top, Ian Blackwell and Owais Shah in the middle, and cleaned up Geraint Jones to complete a 4-wicket haul, helping India secure a 49-run victory.

2) vs Sri Lanka (2012) - 5 wickets and 29 runs

One of Irfan Pathan’s best all-round performances came in his last ODI match, played against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2012. India batted first, with Gautam Gambhir scoring a valiant 88. Although the middle order had a few stumbles, Irfan Pathan and Ravichandran Ashwin remained unbeaten, with Pathan contributing 29 runs off 28 balls to help India post a total of 294. 

During Sri Lanka’s chase, Pathan struck early with a five-wicket haul, dismissing both openers, Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan. He further made inroads by removing Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera, eventually helping India bowl out Sri Lanka for just 274 runs.

1) vs Sri Lanka (2005) - 4 wickets and 93 runs

In the 2005 Test against Sri Lanka, Irfan Pathan once again rose to the occasion, both with the bat and the ball. In Sri Lanka's first innings, Pathan struck the top and middle order to claim three wickets, while in the second innings, he added another to his tally. 

Though Pathan was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, his second innings saw him score a massive 93 runs, the top score among Indian batters in that innings. Surprisingly, he opened the batting, hitting 10 boundaries and two sixes in the match. His contributions helped India win the game by 188 runs.