You’ve already scooped up more than 10 wickets this IPL...

I’m really enjoying myself. As a bowler, I’m trying to give my best to my team, but my ambition is to establish myself as an all-rounder. I didn’t get a chance to bat in the last few matches, but I’m confident that very soon, Irfan Pathan will be known as an all-rounder.

A few years ago, your bowling wasn’t up to the mark and you were asked to concentrate on domestic cricket...

That was a bad phase in my career, but it helped me mature as a cricketer. I am an optimistic guy and believe that the low patch helped me perform better.

Don’t you think too much cricket could affect your bowling? Right now, it’s the IPL, and the T20 World Cup is up next...

As a professional cricketer, there is nothing called “too much cricket”. In this circuit, only the best can survive. The more matches I play, the more chances I get to take wickets. Injury and all the accompanying hazards are part of the game.

Did you pick up any tips from Brett Lee during the IPL?

We share information and exchange ideas, but you can’t call that “tips”. One has to learn from everything and everyone, and continually improvise.

How does it feel when your brother Yusuf hits an over-boundary off your delivery?

I’m sure Yusuf won’t show my bowling in poor light (laughs)! Just kidding! Yes, sometimes, it gets awkward when I find Yusuf hitting boundaries off me. But we are professionals, and on the field, our commitment is to our teams alone. We consider each other as players of rival teams. But everybody knows we are brothers. Sometimes, it becomes a psychological war!

And off the field....

Once the match is over, we are friends. We talk about cricket, party together and of course, fight too. At the end of the day, we are aware that we both have to give our best, so that we can stay together in the international cricket circuit.