IPL 2014: It was always a matter of time, says Yusuf Pathan after match-winning knock

Yusuf Pathan played a match-winning innings of 39 off 28 balls against SRH

Kolkata Knight Riders‘ all-rounder Yusuf Pathan played a match-winning knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday in order to keep his team’s hopes of securing a berth in the play-offs alive. Pathan, who has been criticised for his prolonged bad form, smashed 39 runs off 28 balls to prove his critics wrong.

“The domestic season kept me in a positive frame of mind for the IPL and it was always a matter of time that I got going in the IPL. Till the time you feel that you have a good bat speed and you are hitting the ball well, there is nothing to worry. I was just waiting for an opportunity where I could show that the match-winner in me was still alive, and tonight, it was on display,” 31 year old Pathan said.

“I was always confident that I would get my A game to the fore very soon. Tonight, I got my chance – the situation was perfect and it is heartening to put up a match-winning performance for my side,” Pathan told iplt20.com after KKR won by 7 wickets against SRH on Sunday.

The Indian all-rounder admitted that it was a tough situation to bat in. “I agree that it was a tough situation when I walked out to bat, but it feels good to have come up trumps at the end of it. I have been winning matches for my side all these years, which is the reason why people like me,” he said.

“I was certain that if I get to bat at the top of the innings and face more deliveries, I will help my team win. It is a great position to bat at since I get a chance to plan my innings and assess the situation better,” he added.

The aggressive right hand batsman, who has been out of the national radar in recent times appreciated the support he received from the crowd.

“It is a great feeling to know that the crowd believes in my abilities every time I walk out to bat. The reason they believe in me and want me to do well is because of the things I have done in the past. There have been situations in the past when I have single-handedly won matches for the team, which has been the reason why people have faith in me. They want me to win every match and score big every time I bat, which is not possible since the situations and conditions are different from time to time.” Pathan said.“I like the fact that the people and team management have expectations from me of winning matches. It is their love and support that keeps me going at times when I am low on confidence,” he added.

Pathan dismissed rumors that suggested that the powerful hitter was low on confidence. “I was never low on confidence. There were times when I was sent in to bat when there were just two or three overs to spare. At that time, if I fail to score, everyone gets a feeling that I am low on confidence and out of form. I have always had tremendous self-belief and knew I will be getting my runs soon,” he concluded.