I want to be India's go-to bowler - IRFAN

India veteran fast bowler Irfan Pathan has laughed off all chatter about his 'comeback' to the side for the Champions Trophy in June, saying he only missed recent series due to injury and was in top form before that.

Pathan picked up a hamstring injury after the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, which caused him to miss the home season, and he is currently playing in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils.

Given his 120 ODIs in the bank, he is sure he can be a crucial member of MS Dhoni's bowling attack, and is eager to be his skipper's 'go-to bowler' during the tournament in England.

Pathan told the IPL website: "A lot of people were talking about my 'comeback', but most people forget that my last ODI before I left due to an injury was a Man-of-the-Match performance.

"I had taken a five-for in India's victory against Sri Lanka in 2012. People have a very short memory about performances, but I was always confident that I would get into the ODI squad for India.

"Now I want to take up more and more responsibility. I want to bowl in a lot of tough situations and I want to make sure that I am the go-to bowler for the captain."

Pathan will be one of five fast bowlers in the India squad, including new star Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the impressive Umesh Yadav, but he isn't concerned about that and feels sure his experience will work in his favour.

He said: "Frankly, I am not worried about it. I know it will depend on the team combinations at the end of the day. My mission is to do well in the tournament. I will start working towards it from the moment we land there in England.

"I want to make the most of whatever preparations we get there and be completely ready before ball one. I have worked really hard on my fitness and my game.

"I have tremendous self-belief that I am only going to get better from here. I feel the next few years are going to be my years in cricket."

Showing his wealth of experience, Pathan adds that pace and aggression don't matter on English tracks if one doesn't put the ball in the right place. He says consistency and discipline will be invaluable in June.

Irfan continued: "Any bowler would love to go and bowl in England were the wickets are friendly for the fast bowlers. But it is easier said than done. One has to make sure you 'bowl', rather than just releasing the ball from your hand.

"Bowling in the right areas is very important. If you bowl consistently in the right areas, more often than not wickets will come your way.

"No matter how good the bowler is, how quick the bowler is or how lethal he is with swing, bowling in the right areas is of prime concern. That will be my focus in the games to come."