Full Name: Irfan Pathan
Nickname: Irfu, Baroda Bombshell, Swing King
Date of Birth: October 27, 1984
Age (as of 2025): 40 years
Place of Birth: Baroda (Vadodara), Gujarat, India
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Islam
Profession: Former Cricketer, Cricket Commentator, Coach, Mentor, Actor
Batting Style: Left-Handed Batsman
Bowling Style: Left-Arm Medium-Fast
Role in Team: Bowling All-Rounder
Domestic Teams: Baroda, India Red, India Blue, Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL), Chennai Super Kings (IPL), Delhi Capitals (IPL), Rising Pune Supergiants, Jammu & Kashmir (Coach)
Net Worth (as of 2025): Approx. ₹60 Crore – ₹70 Crore INR
Early Life and Background
Irfan Pathan was born on October 27, 1984, in Baroda, Gujarat, right into a humble family. His father, Mehboob Khan Pathan, worked as a muezzin at a nearby mosque, in which Irfan and his elder brother, Yusuf Pathan, grew up.
Despite economic struggles, Irfan has come to be pretty dedicated to cricket from a younger age. He was a professional at the Cricket Academy of Baroda, in which Tariq Sait educated him, and later Greg Chappell helped form his competencies. His herbal swing bowling made him stand out at the same time as a teen.
Rise in Domestic Cricket
Irfan Pathan started out playing home cricket for Baroda, wherein his understanding rapidly stimulated selectors. His capability to swing the ball with every technique at an excessive tempo made him one of the most promising greater younger pace bowlers in Indian cricket at the time.
International Debut
Irfan made his Test debut for India at the age of just 19 on December nine, 2003, against Australia at Adelaide. His fearless bowling towards global-elegance batsmen like Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist obtained massive hobby.
He made his ODI debut quickly after, in opposition to Australia on January 9, 2004.
Breakthrough and Glory
Between 2004 and 2006, Irfan Pathan came to be one of the world’s great swing bowlers.
- He bowled at one hundred forty+ km/h with a deadly late swing.
- Became a steady wicket-taker in each format.
- His batting is superior, turning him right into a top-extraordinary all-rounder.
Golden Moment: Hat-Trick in Pakistan
On January 29, 2006, Irfan executed one of the best feats in Indian cricket statistics:
Test Hat-Trick in the first actual over of the wholesome towards Pakistan in Karachi.
He has become:
- The first bowler in data to take a Test hat-trick inside the first over
- Only the 0.33 Indian bowler to take a Test hat-trick
This made him a country big hero in a unmarried day.
2007 ICC T20 World Cup Champion
Irfan finished an important characteristic in India’s victory inside the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup.
In the final toward Pakistan:
- He took 3 wickets for 16 runs
- Won the Man of the Match award
This cemented his legacy as a participant in massive shape.
All-Rounder Evolution
From 2007 onwards, Irfan has clearly become one of India’s high-quality, decrease-order batsmen.
- Scored essential knocks in ODIs
- Formed robust partnerships
- Played as a bowling-all-rounder in all formats
His batting capability frequently saved India in tough conditions.
Challenges and Injuries
Irfan’s career has ended up extensively suffering from ordinary injuries, especially decreased lower back and shoulder problems. His swing reduced with time, and he modified into the inside and outside of the Indian squad after 2009.
Despite this, he made several comebacks, which include:
- 2012 Sri Lanka Series, wherein he ended up Player of the Series
- Key performances in opposition to Pakistan in 2012–thirteen
IPL Career
Irfan executed for hundreds of businesses:
- Kings XI Punjab
- Delhi Daredevils
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Chennai Super Kings
- Rising Pune Supergiants
He was identified for capture performances, accurate bowling, and finishing skills.
Retirement—Irfan Pathan delivered his retirement from all sorts of cricket on January four, 2020.
Post-Cricket Career
After retirement, Irfan efficaciously transitioned into more than one role:
1. Cricket Commentator
He is one of all of India’s most well-known cricket commentators, cherished for:
- Sharp evaluation
- Calm individual
- Deep records of the sport
2. Mentor & Coach
Irfan has grown to be the trainer of the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Team, in which he helped more younger cricketers extend professionally.
3. Actor
Irfan made his movie debut in the Tamil movie “Cobra” (2022) starring Vikram.
4. Humanitarian Work
Irfan and Yusuf Pathan run the Pathan Brothers’ Cricket Academy and numerous charity duties for underprivileged youngsters.
Personal Life
Irfan Pathan married Safa Baig, a Saudi Arabian version, in 2016.
They have two sons—Imran Pathan and Suleiman Pathan.
Irfan is ideal for his humility, moderate nature, and sturdy family values.
Legacy
Irfan Pathan remains one of India’s most talented and cherished swing bowlers.
- His hat-trick in Pakistan
- His average overall performance within the 2007 World Cup very last
- His capability to swing the ball like Wasim Akram
- His all-round contributions
…all make him a mythical figure in Indian cricket.
He remains desired as one of the quality swing bowlers India ever produced.
