Yusuf Pathan's debut In International Cricket

Yusuf Pathan’s debut came in bizarre unexpected circumstances during the ICC World T20 in 2007. He is the older one of the Pathan Brothers has the reputation for being one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball in world cricket. But he has not yet stood up to his name in Indian Colours as of yet. He is one of the most devastating batsmen whom the bowlers fear to bowl to and plays regularly for Baroda in the domestic circuit. He is a better performer at IPL and he alongside Manvinder Bisla are the only men with three IPL trophies in their cabinets.

He won the inaugral IPL with Rajasthan Royals and won two titles with KKR in the last three years. He is also a handy off spinner who can stop the run flow and can also chip in with a wicket or two. He can be termed as Shahid Afridi of India who has a motto on his mind that you need to hit the ball as long and as hard as possible.

Born in a poor family Pathan started his cricket with his young brother Irfan. Yusuf quickly made it to the top ranks and got selected for Baroda U-14 and U-16 side, his elevation to the U-19 side also did not take much time. Later in 2000 he made his debut for the Baroda senior side but he could not make himself a regular fixture in the team till 2004. By the time Irfan was seen as a new star on the horizon who was playing for India.

In 2007 his performace in the Deodhar Trophy and the domesting T20 tournament and his image as a big hitter earned him a place in the Indian Squad for the first World T20 in 2007. He was only warming the benches until Sehwag got injured before the final which made space for his debut for the final on Sep.24. His name was only known to the Indian fans as a hard hitter and he showed an example by hitting a big six over the bowlers head in the very first over but he couldn’t carry on for a long time and got out for just 15. He also bowled a solitary over in the final giving away just five runs.

After this his IPL stint earned him an ODI cap and he was part of the 2011 World Cup winning squad. But his poor form and irresponsible batting costed him his place in the side and he last played for India in 2012. He was trusted to be the budding all-rounder for India but only 2 hundreds and 3 fifties in 57 ODIs did not help his cause. And after that Ravindra Jadeja’s performances did not give him any chance of making a comeback.