Yusuf Pathan on his Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personality, brother Irfan and why he’s ready to wait for Test cap.
When the selectors announced Yusuf Pathan’s name for the one-day series against South Africa, the first thing the dashing middle-order batsman did was to pray do rakat namaaz.
His last One-day international was against Pakistan five months back. Earlier this month, Yusuf slammed a double ton and helped West Zone chase a world record 536-run target in the Duleep Trophy.
On Tuesday, his blitzkrieg earned him a century in 40 balls against Gujarat in Ahmedabad (Late Ramakant Desai Trophy). By the end of the day, he got the good news of his India recall.
Pathan was a touch philosophical while talking about his big-hitting and comeback.
“My aim was to work hard. If you work hard your efforts will bear fruit,” he told DNA from Baroda. “I was concentrating on my game. I didn’t always keep thinking along the lines of making a comeback to the Indian team’. I knew if I keep performing then, inshallah, I would get back into the side. My parents, brother Irfan (Pathan) and friends have always stood by me through thick and thin.”
Yusuf is known for his big hitting and is often criticised for getting out to a rash shot even after getting his eye in.
Yusuf, however, defended his game plan. “I am an aggressive batsman. I like playing the way I am playing right now. I have been known for my aggressiveness with the bat. It is my natural style which has given me recognition. I see no need to change what gets me runs,” Yusuf said.
However, Yusuf only goes about murdering the bowlers on the field. When out of his cricket gear he wears a disarming smile. “This is a gift from God (being calm and collected off the field). I stay as relaxed as possible but when I get a bat in my hand I become aggressive. I have been playing like this since my childhood and when it requires I can easily play fast.”
Yusuf draws inspiration from his younger brother, Irfan. “He is my idol. I don’t feel the need to look beyond him to find an idol and find my inspiration. I look up to Irfan. We discuss cricket, our strengths, weaknesses and all the aspects of our game. We know each other inside out,” he said.
Yusuf wants to fulfil his potential as an all-rounder, a slot Team India needs to fill with the World Cup just 11 months away. “I play as an all-rounder for Baroda. I would love to do the same for India. Of course, at the international level this is a different ball game. Hopefully, I’ll be able to perform with the bat and the ball against South Africa. The Proteas are a strong side and runs and wickets against them would count a lot.”
Dismissed by pundits as being ‘too loose in technique’ to achieve success at the Test level, Yusuf is ready to bide his time. “All cricketers would die to get a Test cap. If it is in my fate, then it will come my way. I don’t want to be impatient. I’ll wait for it.”
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