Captain Rahul Dravid on Friday denied Irfan Pathan was being subjected to "too much workload" and said the hype over his brief loss of form was only because he had raised the expectations of everyone by his performances.
Dravid summarily dismissed Pathan's own reported comments to a television channel that by asking to open the batting as well as bowling, the team was leaving too much on his plate.
"I am not sure if Irfan had said that, but from whatever conversation I have had with him, I could say that he had never felt the workload was too much on him," Dravid said in his first press conference since arriving in Sri Lanka last night.
"I can say that Irfan had always enjoyed and relished the challenge. People should remember that he missed out only on Test cricket," the skipper said, referring to Pathan sitting out of three Tests on the recent tour of the West Indies.
"He hasn't missed a one-dayer. He is an integral part of our team. At this age (that Pathan is), you want to be given chances to showcase your skills. Pathan has probably had so much success that he has created such expectations of himself.
{{/usCountry}}"He hasn't missed a one-dayer. He is an integral part of our team. At this age (that Pathan is), you want to be given chances to showcase your skills. Pathan has probably had so much success that he has created such expectations of himself.
{{/usCountry}}"That happens when you set such high standards for yourself."