By then, Chappell’s coaching stint had entered its most turbulent face, with the Aussie’s vision for tomorrow having no place for the stars of today. Irfan, one of the younger faces, the TV ad star, Chappell’s new all-rounder (“Sir Gary”, as in Gary Sobers, was just one of the cruel nicknames), got caught in between.

Chappell believes that phase leading up to the World Cup, when nasty jokes and black humour started doing the rounds along with a bit of “bullying”, drove Irfan to the edge. “I have no idea about all that, I was focused on my game,” says Irfan.

Then, there was the fame, the harsh media spotlight, the screaming horde of fans wanting a piece of the “handsome” star at every airport lounge, every hotel lobby. “He might have got a bit carried away by the celebrity status, I guess,” says Sekar.

Irfan’s extended batting practice stints with Chappell—and that century in a practice game in South Africa—only added more noise to the nasty buzz. “That’s where people got it completely wrong. I don’t know how many people know it but I started honing my batting skills with John Wright. In fact, it was my batting that kept me going throughout the low phase. At least, something was working,” says Irfan.

By now, Sekar says, Irfan’s action was a complete mess (see graphic).
And not surprisingly, Irfan couldn’t find a place in the World Cup XI, watching his team crash out from the dressing room. Then, in May, the BCCI called for a bowlers’ camp in June, before the team for England was to be announced. “That was when he first called,” says Sekar.

... contd.