Irfan Pathan is currently showcasing his skills for India Champions in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026. Away from the action, the former India all-rounder took part in an unfiltered rapid-fire segment with Star Sports, reflecting on some of the most memorable moments and rivalries from his illustrious career.

Pathan spoke candidly about the players who challenged him the most, recalled his memorable hundred against Pakistan and revealed the one WCL legend he would have loved to face this season.

Irfan Pathan names two toughest opponents of his career

When asked to name the toughest opponents he faced during his playing days, Pathan picked two former batting greats — Adam Gilchrist and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

However, the former all-rounder also mentioned an interesting name when discussing the toughest challenge he encountered. Pathan said he was fortunate to share the dressing room with Sachin Tendulkar, but facing the legendary batter in the nets or during matches was never easy.

“Adam Gilchrist and Inzamam Ul Haq. I was lucky that I played with Sachin Tendulkar. So whenever I came across him in the nets or in the matches, he was toughest,” said Pathan.

Pathan recalls the best knock he played against a rival

Pathan did not hesitate when asked about the best innings he played against a rival. The former India star immediately pointed to his century against Pakistan, describing the knock as a particularly special achievement.

“Obviously 100 against Pakistan, Its very special,” added Pathan.

The India-Pakistan rivalry also featured prominently when Pathan was asked which contest he would want to relive. According to the former all-rounder, matches against Pakistan have always carried a special significance. He also mentioned Australia, admitting that he enjoyed playing against the Australians because of their aggressive approach.

“India-Pakistan. That rivalry is always special. Australia is there as well. Some of the top Australian players are there. That rivalry I enjoyed it because they play aggressive and I live aggression as well. So these two teams, I always look forward to it,” Pathan revealed.

Pathan added that he enjoyed that intensity because he himself liked playing with aggression. When asked which match he would replay ball by ball, Pathan once again chose an India-Pakistan contest — the 2007 T20 World Cup final.

Pathan reminisce an unforgettable sledging incident

Pathan also looked back on a memorable sledging incident involving Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara. He recalled that the exchange began around an issue concerning a ball change before a Test match. While Sangakkara started the verbal battle, Pathan admitted that he went too far by making personal remarks.

The incident became even more amusing in hindsight because the two players ended up as teammates for Punjab in the IPL the following year.

“I think with Sangakkara in that game I was talking about I will never forget because Sangakkara started some sledging because there was some ball change issue happened before the Test match and then I crossed the line as well by saying personal things to him which I regret. Next year we were playing together in one team in Punjab (IPL side). So it was really funny,” explained the former all-rounder.

Also READ: KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan? Irfan Pathan picks India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs

Yusuf Pathan gets Irfan’s vote for a WCL final

Pathan also revealed that if he could have faced one more legend in the WCL, he would have chosen former Australia speedster Brett Lee. He said: “I would have loved to see Brett Lee.”

The final question asked Pathan to select one WCL player he would trust to win him a final. His answer was emphatic: his brother Yusuf Pathan. Irfan pointed out that Yusuf had already won several games for his teams during his career and backed him to produce another match-winning performance when the stakes are at their highest.

“Yusuf Pathan, No doubt. He won us few games and he can do that again,” Pathan concluded.

Also READ: Wasim Jaffer picks ideal successor of Virat Kohli in ODI format for Team India