Yusuf Pathan just a humble big-hitter

[vvvslaxman]

Source Yusuf Pathan just a humble big-hitter May 08 2009 at 09:02AM By Zaahier Adams Chants of "hier kom 'n ding, hier kom 'n ding" reverberate around St George's Park. The band is in full swing, and the 13 000-strong Port Elizabeth crowd are in full voice. They know something is about to happen. Even I get goosebumps on my arms. What is it that has everybody, including me, so excited? Out of the lengthening shadows emerges the answer: Yusuf Pathan is walking to the crease. The Indian Premier League is filled with big names, international stars, and legendary veterans. Yusuf, though, has become the biggest name, the star attraction, in a very glamourous tournament. The defending champions, the Rajasthan Royals - Yusuf's team - rate him their most valuable player. The opposition know he is the Royals' dangerman, and listening to the PE crowd, he is the reason why they have parted with their hard-earned rands. Yusuf doesn't disappoint. Following up on his batting heroics in the super over at Newlands in the first week of the IPL, and then his swashbuckling 62 not out off just 30 balls to lead the Royals to victory at Centurion, Yusuf clobbers another quickfire 24, to seal his third Man of the Match award in the tournament. Indian journalists have told me Yusuf is a very modest individual. I thought that must've been before he became a national hero, and an IPL star. Playing in front of crowds chanting "Yusuf, Yusuf" must surely have had an influence on his character. Speaking to me on the stairs outside the Royals dressing room, Yusuf, in broken English, confirms my colleagues' sentiments. "I remember you, I met you in Cape Town," Yusuf says. He didn't have to say that, he was after all Yusuf Pathan, especially as I had said only "Asalamu Alaykum" to him once before in passing at Newlands. It seems all the attention has not fazed Yusuf. Shy by nature, Yusuf has remained humble, to which he attributes his strong belief system. "Religion is a big part of my life. I'm happy that I was born in a mosque, and that my father was a priest. It keeps you calm and collected under pressure. When you play well, you're thankful to God, when you play poorly, you're also thankful," Yusuf says. It seems being born in a mosque in Baroda had more advantages than just giving Yusuf a spiritual base. It was where he learnt the game with his brother, fellow IPL player and Indian national teammate, Irfan. "Yes, it is true, we were the only children at the mosque, so we had to keep busy, so we played cricket in the courtyard. When we have time, Irfan and I sit back and think about those days, and how far we've come." Listening to the tone of Yusuf's voice, it is clear that he and Irfan share a very close relationship. While Yusuf, 26, might be two years Irfan's senior, it was Irfan that shot to prominence first, being named ICC Emerging Player of the Year in 2004. But his star has waned from such lofty heights, with Yusuf overtaking his brother in popularity, especially in Twenty20 cricket. Do they share any sort of rivalry, especially as Irfan plays for the Kings XI Punjab? "Off the field, we're very close, but on the field, we're the biggest rivals. On the field, I'm looking to do my best, he's looking to do his best. I'm playing for the pride of my team, and he's playing for his, and I want to do well for my team, so we are rivals." Rajasthan's mental conditioning coach Jeremy Snape often talks about "simplifying" things for Yusuf. What Snape means by this is that the Royals' planning revolves around "setting the game up" to allow Yusuf to play his natural, free-hitting, attacking game. This means he could come in at No 7, like he did at St George's Park, or at No 3 after Graeme Smith and Naman Ojha set a 135-run opening partnership at Kingmead on Tuesday. "I don't mind where I bat. As long as I play well for the team, I'm happy." The same attitude seems to apply to his bowling, where he has been entrusted with the new ball, despite bowling off-spinners, within the period where fielding restrictions apply. It seems Yusuf will do anything to "please the team". At the helm of his team, the Royals, is the charismatic Shane Warne. While Yusuf loves doing well for his team, he will run through a wall for the Australian legend. "Shane Warne always talks to me about my game. He gives me lots of advice. He pushes me to do better. Shane Warne is amazing! I really enjoy playing with him," Yusuf says. Yusuf has similar words of praise for Smith, a man he respects immensely. "Graeme is an experienced player, he's captain of South Africa, played many games for his country, and is a good leader. He always has positive things to say to every player, and when I bat with him, I really enjoy it."

[flamy]

Just to recall that he came in under the shadow of his brother...

[ViruRulez]

Just to recall that he came in under the shadow of his brother...

yup .. and he has achieved much more than his brother could ever achieve in all these years BTW it sounds quite funny now but the condition of the Indian team was such that a few years ago IKP was leading our pace attack for a year or two before the resurgence of Zaheer Khan .. how much was IKP's speed when he was our main bowler .. has IKP ever reached 140+ :hmmm:

[flamy]

I don't think he has achieved more than Irfan. Irfan was a fantastic and exciting find when he first came on the scene. And I dearly wish he gets back that swing.

[vvvslaxman]

Irfan is very close to be a specialist batsman. His technique is infact better than some of our specialists. He has proved it time and again. Just that his bowling action got all screwed up and lost the pace. It is one of the least effective bowling action. There is no pivoting, there is no extension of front arm, there is no arc that fast bowlers have. Akram had quick arm action so he could bowl fast. Pathan doesn't have. So he can't bowl fast like Akram with this action. If he lacks pace he has to compensate with accuracy. Believe i want him to do well. He provides incredible balance to the side. But he keeps disappointing us . In between he has his moments. But not the kind of consistency one would expect from a genuine all rounder. His average is around 49 against top nations if you exclude Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

[ViruRulez]

Irfan is very close to be a specialist batsman. His technique is infact better than some of our specialists. He has proved it time and again. Just that his bowling action got all screwed up and lost the pace. It is one of the least effective bowling action. There is no pivoting' date=' there is no extension of front arm, there is no arc that fast bowlers have. Akram had quick arm action so he could bowl fast. Pathan doesn't have. So he can't bowl fast like Akram with this action. If he lacks pace he has to compensate with accuracy. Believe i want him to do well. He provides incredible balance to the side. But he keeps disappointing us . In between he has his moments. But not the kind of consistency one would expect from a genuine all rounder. His average is around 49 against top nations if you exclude Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.[/quote'] I still dont understand that how did he lose so much pace in the past few years .. he has become healthier and looks more fitter now.. but how come he has lost his pace so much :hmmmm: Initially he had both swing and fine pace while he bowled .. how is it that he has lost his pace completely

[gaurav92]

irfan is too proud of the lil success he has had in his career...:giggle: but yusuf is humble on his achievements even though he has achieved more than 10 times what his brother has achieved ..... :hatsoff: to yusuf and :whack: to cr@pth@n

[Guest gaurav_indian]

irfan is too proud of the lil success he has had in his career...:giggle: but yusuf is humble on his achievements even though he has achieved more than 10 times what his brother has achieved ..... :hatsoff: to yusuf and :whack: to cr@pth@n

Thats the nature of most of the indian cricket fans.They have a short memory.How Yusuf has achieved more than Irfan?Care to explain plz.Or are you also from those who believe in "charte suraj ko salaam" theory?

[gaurav92]

^^^ hey gaurav.....i think u are being too eaasy on irfan yes he was the one who has been struggling to get his pace back and he barely swings the ball....hes not consistent in his ;line and length...he s just on the shorter side and wayward too...so i think hes lost his rythm completely on the other hand yusuf has been performing well hes sent in @ no.7 and hes done his work most of the times...he comes in and hits a few out of the park and gives a unique touch to finish the innings on a high....thats good and in fact better than irfan irfan was good early on when he charged in and swung the ball in to the right hander but now he rarely or to be frank...never charges the way he used to look at lee even now he is charging in and is desperate to take a wicket even though its an IPl game yusuf gives his 100% and hes in the past one year been more economical than irfan for india

[Guest gaurav_indian]

^^^ hey gaurav.....i think u are being too eaasy on irfan yes he was the one who has been struggling to get his pace back and he barely swings the ball....hes not consistent in his ;line and length...he s just on the shorter side and wayward too...so i think hes lost his rythm completely on the other hand yusuf has been performing well hes sent in @ no.7 and hes done his work most of the times...he comes in and hits a few out of the park and gives a unique touch to finish the innings on a high....thats good and in fact better than irfan irfan was good early on when he charged in and swung the ball in to the right hander but now he rarely or to be frank...never charges the way he used to look at lee even now he is charging in and is desperate to take a wicket even though its an IPl game yusuf gives his 100% and hes in the past one year been more economical than irfan for india

So does that mean Irfan doesnt give his 100%?Have u noticed the dhoni of 2005 and now?Going by your logic Dhoni is also not giving his 100%.Becoz he changed his game.I think you are confusing IPL performances with the international matches which Irfan has played or may be you started watching cricket just recently. Yusuf has a lot to prove.Especially outside sub-continent.And england is the best place.