Yusuf Pathan is emerging from the shadows of his celebrity younger brother Irfan, writes Mobile ESPN’s Faisal Kamal.
From the non-descript alleys of Vadodara to the spotlight of an ever-hungry media, life is surely changing at hundred miles an hour for Yusuf Pathan. From just another member in the Baroda Ranji squad to the high echelons of the sanctity of Team India's dressing room, it's been an emotional journey for Yusuf Pathan. He is no more Irfan Pathan's elder brother. Sure and steady, Yusuf has gained a toehold in Indian cricket and guess what? Irfan is just "loving it."
They call themselves Indian cricket's "brothers-in-arm." They may not be on the playing XI together, but if one Pathan makes the cut, the other is happy. It's a reflection of their humble beginning. It's a tell tale sign of two brothers who grew up sharing a dingy room with their parents. As long as there is one Pathan playing for India, it's mashallah!
Twenty-six-year-old Yusuf is fast becoming the utility man in Dhoni's gang. A lower middle-order batsman who is capable of turning the game on his head with cameo knocks, Yusuf has an impressive strikerate of 100+ in 12 one-day Internationals he has played so far. A competent off-spinner, Yusuf has already earned his captain's confidence to bowl at the death. It's too early to call him the Andrew Symonds of India, but Yusuf has all that it takes to become a classy all-rounder.
Twenty20 cricket may be taking the world by storm and one-day cricket is the breadwinner, but to play Test cricket is every man's dream. Yusuf is no different.
Stoic at times, Yusuf's eyes light up when you ask him whether he wants to play cricket in whites. But then he knows the difference between a wish and reality. Yusuf is patient and is quick to say: "I am happy to take things as they come. I am not thinking too far. I am satisfied with my game and place in the Indian one-day and Twenty20 squad. Test cricket will happen but the process will take its own time."
Yusuf and Irfan were at a promotional party of a telecom major in Delhi on Thursday. Bubbly as he is, Irfan stole the media spotlight but Yusuf wasn't far behind. A man of few words, Yusuf remains a man still in awe of the media. Unlike the way he brandishes his bat and smashes balls out of sight, Yusuf is not a media savvy man. And Irfan loves this "drawback" in his brother.
But on a serious note, Irfan is happy for Yusuf's steady rise in Indian cricket. "He has a lot of cricket left in him. He can be a winner on his day," says Irfan. Yusuf is happy at the accolade and says: "We both love to play for India. Whoever plays, we give our best. On the field, relationships don't count, that helps to keep the competitive edge."
Long live, United club of Pathan!
From the non-descript alleys of Vadodara to the spotlight of an ever-hungry media, life is surely changing at hundred miles an hour for Yusuf Pathan. From just another member in the Baroda Ranji squad to the high echelons of the sanctity of Team India's dressing room, it's been an emotional journey for Yusuf Pathan. He is no more Irfan Pathan's elder brother. Sure and steady, Yusuf has gained a toehold in Indian cricket and guess what? Irfan is just "loving it."
They call themselves Indian cricket's "brothers-in-arm." They may not be on the playing XI together, but if one Pathan makes the cut, the other is happy. It's a reflection of their humble beginning. It's a tell tale sign of two brothers who grew up sharing a dingy room with their parents. As long as there is one Pathan playing for India, it's mashallah!
Twenty-six-year-old Yusuf is fast becoming the utility man in Dhoni's gang. A lower middle-order batsman who is capable of turning the game on his head with cameo knocks, Yusuf has an impressive strikerate of 100+ in 12 one-day Internationals he has played so far. A competent off-spinner, Yusuf has already earned his captain's confidence to bowl at the death. It's too early to call him the Andrew Symonds of India, but Yusuf has all that it takes to become a classy all-rounder.
Twenty20 cricket may be taking the world by storm and one-day cricket is the breadwinner, but to play Test cricket is every man's dream. Yusuf is no different.
Stoic at times, Yusuf's eyes light up when you ask him whether he wants to play cricket in whites. But then he knows the difference between a wish and reality. Yusuf is patient and is quick to say: "I am happy to take things as they come. I am not thinking too far. I am satisfied with my game and place in the Indian one-day and Twenty20 squad. Test cricket will happen but the process will take its own time."
Yusuf and Irfan were at a promotional party of a telecom major in Delhi on Thursday. Bubbly as he is, Irfan stole the media spotlight but Yusuf wasn't far behind. A man of few words, Yusuf remains a man still in awe of the media. Unlike the way he brandishes his bat and smashes balls out of sight, Yusuf is not a media savvy man. And Irfan loves this "drawback" in his brother.
But on a serious note, Irfan is happy for Yusuf's steady rise in Indian cricket. "He has a lot of cricket left in him. He can be a winner on his day," says Irfan. Yusuf is happy at the accolade and says: "We both love to play for India. Whoever plays, we give our best. On the field, relationships don't count, that helps to keep the competitive edge."
Long live, United club of Pathan!
