EXCLUSIVE: Yusuf Pathan, marauder on the field, happy to change diapers off it
Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Yusuf Pathan is in a happy space and in the middle of great form, thanks to his second child. The Baroda batsman, in an exclusive chat revealed his softer side for his fans.
Amidst all the hullabaloo surrounding an IPL franchise owned by a Bollywood superstar, Yusuf Pathan stands like a man who has the ability to hit the mute button and slip into HIS territory anytime. (Full IPL Coverage)
Travelling, jet lag, adoring fans waiting to mob their heroes at the team hotel post midnight and after a energy-sapping game, the elder Pathan never complains about anything. Patience and perspective are this knight's most important virtue these days.
"Look at these children, they must've been waiting for me since last so many hours. Bachhe farishtey hote hain (kids are angels). I make sure nobody goes back home disappointed," Yusuf tells India Today in an exclusive chat as a young Kolkata Knight Riders fan nervously juggles with his selfie stick.
Having become father for the second time in the middle of the current IPL season, one can sense the source of Yusuf's latest burst of energy.
"True that! I am in such a happy zone. There was a gap between our matches when my second son was born so I was lucky enough to go home and meet him. I still change my elder son's diapers, now comes more responsibility. I have always believed that fathers should also play an important role in a child's upbringing," he says.
That happy zone has extended to the playing field as well.
Yusuf happy and deadly
With 228 runs from 10 matches, Yusuf is the third highest run-getter for the Knight Riders this season. Many would dub this as a fairly decent show considering that the first two on that list - skipper Gautam Gambhir and his opening partner Robin Uthappa - have hardly let anyone else bat this time around.
Yusuf's blitzkrieg 29-ball 60 against Bangalore and another unbeaten 41-ball 63 vs Gujarat on Sunday helped KKR recover from a precarious situation. Another 106 runs in the remaining four games and 2016 will become Yusuf's second-best IPL season ever after the inaugural edition in 2008 when he aggregated 435 runs from 16 games.
"Mashallah. This season is going really well for me. I want to finish it on a high. Our team is winning, it is a happy dressing room with every individual contributing. Good that we have been doing well right from the start, being the top team in the league. At KKR, we want to carry this momentum till the end."
Putting a price tag on his wicket
The 2016 version of Yusuf Pathan is also a lot different from the slam-bang big hitter of yesteryears. In six of the 10 innings this season, the 33-year-old has got a 'not out' tag attached to the runs scored from his bat.
"Yes, I have made quite a few changes in my technique now. I am now more experienced, more wiser. Moreover, I have constantly assessed my game sitting with seniors like (Jacques) Kallis, (Simon) Katich and (Wasim) Akram. Having them around has helped a lot. I know that the opposition team will always be under more pressure if I stand in the middle for long. I wait for my big overs now instead of having a go at every ball. I have realised this, implemented it in my batting and the results are showing," said Yusuf.
'Happy to have the skipper's trust'
Faith and form restored, Yusuf is happy that skipper Gambhir is giving him a chance to bat up the order.
"I have always justified the faith skipper has shown in me. I have passed in every exam. I am happy the way captain is using me, good for me as well as the team if I come up the batting order and get more overs to bat," says the Baroda batsman.
With runs comes the hope of making a comeback in the Indian team. It's been four years since Yusuf was last seen in Team India colours.
"I am trying everything to make a comeback in the Indian team. I am working hard and I will definitely come back in the Indian team," he assures.