You all know Imran Tahir not just for his bowling but his unique way of celebrating as he runs like he was won the match with every wicket he takes. But, only a few know the background from where he comes from and the hard work he has put in to make it to this level. Moving on, he is a different person altogether after the match. Tahir tends to interact with youngsters and share a trick or two with them, imparting his knowledge of the craft, ‘leg spin’.
Tahir is a blessing for spinners in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 as he walks up to them and gives them a few tips. He is one of the few players who practices after a game has been played while majority rests in the dressing room. Despite being a 38-year-old his passion for the game has not dimmed even a tad bit.
Tahir told a leading news-publishing website, “Rashid (Khan) is bowling not just better than me but a lot of others too”. Tahir went to Rashid as he explains his meeting with the Afghanistan sensation. Actually, I went to ask him something (in the dressing room), not to tell him anything. Then he asked me something that I knew and I told him that.”
That explains how attached Tahir is to the game. He went on to express his feelings and his journey, “Nobody told me these things early on in life,” Tahir said. “I’m going to say this openly today; I’m going to be as truthful as possible…because I am only human and we can tend to lie sometimes. Nahi toh hum farishtey hote [Otherwise we’d be angels],”
“I do it from my heart. Even last year I helped a couple of Gujarat Lions players. I won’t take names but I do it from my heart. Even now I go to their room and discuss things with them. Bataane se zyaada hi milta hai, kam nahi.. [By sharing you get more, not less],” he added.
Despite being the No.1 ranked T20I and ODI bowler Tahir did not get picked in the IPL Player Auction 2017. That struck everyone by surprise as everyone expected him to go for big bucks after being released by Delhi Daredevils (DD) in December 2016. But, he finally got a chance when Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) picked him as a replacement for an injured Mitchell Marsh.
Tahir is currently the leading wicket-taker for RPS with 16 wickets in 10 games. Everyone went gaga over Ben Stokes’ century as he led Pune’s run chase single-handedly but it was Tahir who restricted Gujarat Lions to 161 picking up the key wickets of Ishan Kishan, Aaron Finch, and Dwayne Smith.
