New Delhi, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that a player’s association with a single IPL franchise plays a crucial role in building a lasting legacy, although he acknowledged that auction rules and retention policies often prevent cricketers from maintaining long-term ties with one team.
Pathan’s remarks come amid ongoing speculation over Hardik Pandya’s future with Mumbai Indians (MI). Speaking on JioHotstar’s series ‘Cheeky Singles’, the former left-arm fast bowler said that staying with one franchise, if circumstances allow, helps players create a stronger identity in the tournament.
“If you want to create a legacy as a player, you can do that only by staying with one franchise, if you get that opportunity. But usually, that doesn’t happen,” Pathan said.
Recalling his own IPL journey, he said his first team was Punjab, where he played for three seasons. However, retention rules later prevented the franchise from keeping players despite their willingness to continue the association.
“In the fourth year, Punjab wanted me to stay, but due to the retention rules and other such reasons, they couldn’t retain any players. Nobody was retained. So, sometimes these things are not in the players’ hands either. The franchise wants it too,” he added.
Pathan also cited Shubman Gill’s move away from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as an example of how teams are sometimes forced to part ways with players they have nurtured.
“I’m sure the players who left, if asked whether they wanted to leave, would say no. A player like Shubman Gill, they would have wanted to keep him. They groomed him and picked him first. But sometimes circumstances are such that you simply can’t retain players,” he said.
Reflecting on his IPL experience with the Punjab franchise during the 2009 season in South Africa, Pathan recalled a memorable gesture by team co-owner Preity Zinta, who prepared parathas for the players after a win.
He said the team had struggled initially in the tournament and Zinta encouraged the players by promising them an Indian meal if they won their next game. After the victory, she fulfilled her promise by preparing parathas for the squad at the hotel.
Pathan praised Zinta’s supportive approach, saying she remained involved with the team even during difficult phases and always encouraged players to improve.
The former cricketer also spoke about the growing issue of misinformation and online trolling, sharing an incident where a fake report falsely claimed that Pakistan captain Babar Azam had refused to give him an interview.
Pathan said his face had been digitally placed on another reporter’s image and the fabricated story went viral, receiving more than a million views.
“The trolling and fake attribution happen every day. This happens every day, but I don’t respond. Every day, some lie is told in our name or about some player. If you keep responding to everyone, you won’t be able to live your life,” he said.
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