Yusuf Pathan doesn’t want to sit and sulk on India omission

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Yusuf Pathan didn’t earn a call-up to the national team for the limited over series in Zimbabwe despite three half-centuries in the ongoing season of the IPL; but that doesn’t stop him from believing in success as KKR entered the play-offs with panache and grit.

“My fans wanted me there, but there is no point brooding over something that has not happened. There is still a lot of cricket to go, more chances will come. I want to do my bit. I have the well wishers praying for me. I want to play cricket like I always have, compete and wait for the next series in India colours,” he said.

Pathan, one of the trump cards of skipper Gautam Gambhir, remained unbeaten on 52 off 34 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.

The teams will meet for the third time, in the play-offs, in New Delhi on Wednesday. The pinch-hitter is no more the risky, slipshod batter in the middle.

The 33-year-old remained unbeaten on all three occasions he slammed fifties.

“I am getting to bat at different positions, getting good time to settle down and overs to express myself. My mindset is clear and that’s why I feel I am in control,” said Pathan, on the eve of the play-off fixture.

Though KKR overcame SRH twice in the league stage, the team is not complacent.

“What we have done before, good or bad, we don’t want to remember. Our aim is to take our game three steps ahead, we cannot afford to make mistakes at this stage,” he added.

The Baroda cricketer believes much of KKR’s accomplishments are due to skipper Gambhir.

“He has his own style of leading the team. He improved his batting and provides a great start upfront, that’s the mark of a good captain. He has been taking good decisions and inspiring others to play good cricket,” said Pathan.

The hard-hitting batsman said he and top-order bat Manish Pandey spoke a lot about how to convert loose balls into boundaries.