Indian team lack a hard-hitting batsman like discarded Yusuf Pathan, but whether the Baroda man can earn a recall, only time will tell; Yusuf will soon be in Kenya for a stint with Stray Lions Cricket Club
KKR's Yusuf Pathan plays a shot vs Rajasthan Royals at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai during IPL 2015. Pic/mid-day archives
There were very few takeaways for Team India in the recently concluded rain-affected T20 International series against West Indies in Florida where Lokesh Rahul scored a superb century in the first T20 International on Saturday.
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KKR's Yusuf Pathan plays a shot vs Rajasthan Royals at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai during IPL 2015. Pic/mid-day archives
However, that match also witnessed skipper Dhoni's inability to finish off the game in the last ball and India suffered a one-run defeat.
A few experts reckon that the Indian team lack a hard-hitting batsman like the discarded Yusuf Pathan. Whether the Baroda man can earn a recall, only time will tell, but he is leaving no stone unturned to better his game.
Yusuf will soon be in Nairobi, Kenya for a stint with Stray Lions Cricket Club.
"In order to be match-fit, I will be in Kenya, playing for a couple of weeks. I have got clearance from the BCCI.
"I am eagerly looking forward to my first appearance in the League," Yusuf, who will board Kenya-bound flight tonight, told mid-day yesterday.
Dhaka stint in June
Earlier this year, in June, Yusuf turned out for Abahani Limited in the Dhaka Premier League in Bangladesh. He played only two matches with the Dhaka-based club, as the holy month of Ramzan started soon after that.
In the first game, he entertained the Dhaka crowd with a swashbuckling 60 off 47 balls. "That knock gave double delight as the win helped the team to advance in the competition. In second match, I scored 20-odd and had to return as Ramzan was starting," said the lanky cricketer.
Fitness, a priority
Fitness is high up on Yusuf's priority list. "After coming in contact with Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) trainer Adrian Le Roux, my fitness regime has changed for the better. "I follow his schedule religiously and it helped me have a good IPL 2016 during which experts talked about my fitness and agility along with my performance," remarked Yusuf, who has 57 ODI and 22 T20I to his credit.
Veteran cricketers are an inspiration to Yusuf. "Mike Hussey (41) and Brad Hogg (45), my KKR teammate, are fine examples. Hogg played his last T20 International at the age of 43. Recently, two Pakistani batsmen — Younis Khan (38) and Misbah-ul-Haq (42) — scored brilliant Test centuries, so age is not a barrier. I still have seven years to reach 40," said the 33-year-old, who last seen in India colours in 2012 during South Africa tour.
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