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Yusuf Pathan is a former Indian cricketer who made a name for himself as an explosive all-rounder in limited-overs cricket. He hails from a Gujarati Pathan family and is the older brother of fellow cricketer Irfan Pathan. Yusuf's power-hitting abilities and off-break bowling made him an X-factor player for India and various franchise teams in domestic T20 leagues.
Yusuf was born into a cricket-mad family in Baroda, with his father running a small coaching camp where both brothers honed their skills from an early age. He started playing competitive cricket at the age of 19 and spent several seasons proving his worth in domestic cricket before being selected for the national team.
Despite initial struggles with his fitness, Yusuf's big-hitting ability quickly brought him to prominence, particularly in the shortest format of the game. His hard work paid off when he earned his first international cap against Pakistan in June 2008.
Yusuf made his debut for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy during the 2001/02 season but it wasn't until four years later that he caught everyone's attention with his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament where he finished as the second-highest run-scorer.
His performances led to Rajasthan Royals picking him up for INR 47 lakh ($100,000) ahead of IPL 1 which turned out to be a breakthrough tournament for him. He smashed two half-centuries and picked up eight wickets en route to helping Rajasthan lift the trophy.
The all-rounder's continued good form saw him earn selection to the Indian team later that year for their T20 World Cup campaign. He played a crucial role in the team's victory, including scoring a match-winning 15-ball 33 against England in the Super Eight stage.
Yusuf was primarily used as a finisher in limited-overs cricket, where his ability to clear the boundary and score quick runs made him a valuable asset for India and various IPL teams. In all, he played 57 ODIs and scored 810 runs at an average of 27 with two centuries and three fifties.
One of Yusuf's most memorable innings came during India's tour of New Zealand in December 2010 when he scored an unbeaten 123 off just 96 balls to help India chase down a target of 315 with five wickets remaining. He showed his prowess with the ball too by picking up two wickets.
The big-hitting Pathan also enjoyed success in domestic cricket for Baroda, scoring heavily in both first-class and List A cricket. He held the record for the fastest fifty in Ranji Trophy history until Bandeep Singh broke it in October 2015.
In addition to his international exploits, Yusuf enjoyed considerable success playing franchise T20 cricket around the world. After winning the IPL with Rajasthan Royals in 2008, he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for $2.1 million ahead of IPL 4 where he won the tournament again. He then joined Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of IPL 2018 but was released ahead of IPL 2020 after suffering from poor form over several seasons.
Pathan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on 26 February 2021 after representing India in more than fifty international matches and playing eleven seasons across three different franchises in the IPL.
Yusuf Pathan has contributed significantly to Indian cricket, particularly in major tournaments such as the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World T20. He played a crucial part in India's victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
At the 2007 T20 World Cup, Pathan scored at an impressive strike rate of over 200. His performance with both bat and ball helped India win their first-ever International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy. He was also a member of the victorious Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. In this tournament, he scored an unbeaten knock of 34 runs against Sri Lanka in the final match.
Pathan's contributions to other major tournaments have been impressive as well. He played a significant role in helping Rajasthan Royals win the inaugural season of IPL in 2008, where he scored a half-century at a crucial stage of the match. In IPL 2010, while playing for Rajasthan Royals again, he made history by scoring an unbeaten century off just 37 balls, which included hitting eleven consecutive boundaries.
After his stint with Rajasthan Royals ended after IPL 3, Yusuf was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping $2.1 million at the IPL auction ahead of IPL 4. During his time with KKR from 2011 to 2017, Yusuf helped them win two IPL titles – one in 2012 and another in 2014 – thanks to his big-hitting ability.
Yusuf Pathan is primarily known for his explosive batting style that allowed him to clear boundaries with ease. He often played as a lower-middle-order batsman who could accelerate run-scoring when required.
Pathan's strong points are his power-hitting and ability to score quickly. He is known for his extraordinary ability to hit sixes, which makes him a valuable asset in the shorter formats of the game. His strike rate of over 130 in all IPL matches is testimony to his hitting abilities.
As a bowler, Yusuf bowls right-arm off-breaks and has the capability to pick up wickets at crucial moments. However, he is not considered a frontline bowler as he rarely bowls his full quota of overs.
Off the field, Yusuf Pathan is known for his down-to-earth persona and humble nature. He has been an inspiration for many young cricketers from small-town India who aspire to reach great heights in their cricketing careers.
In terms of endorsements, Yusuf Pathan's main brand sponsorships include footwear brand Puma India and sports equipment manufacturer SG Cricket. His net worth is estimated to be around $26 million.
Overall, Yusuf Pathan has been an integral part of Indian cricket history with notable performances under pressure in major tournaments such as the World Cup and IPL. With a playing style admired by fans worldwide, he will remain a popular figure in Indian cricket for years to come.
Yusuf Pathan will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most dynamic and hard-hitting all-rounders in Indian cricket history. With his remarkable ability to hit sixes at will, he was a game-changer who could turn the match on its head in just a few overs. His explosive batting style and off-spin bowling made him an indispensable asset to any team he played for.
He holds the record for the fastest fifty in the first edition of IPL (21 balls) and is known for his exceptional hitting ability. His unique power-hitting style has been emulated by many international players, which highlights his influential impact on modern-day cricketing techniques.
Yusuf Pathan's impressive career earned him several accolades throughout his time on the pitch. In 2008, he won the IPL championship with Rajasthan Royals, where his raw talent was recognized by everyone who followed cricket closely.
In December 2010, he played a crucial role in India's victory over New Zealand by smashing an unbeaten century from just 96 deliveries, earning himself the man of the match award.
Despite not having much experience playing Test cricket, Yusuf was still able to make significant contributions during his time with the Indian national team, particularly during their victorious campaigns in both T20 World Cup championships in 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Throughout his illustrious career as a professional cricketer Yusuf Pathan has inspired generations of young athletes with his sheer talent, passion and dedication towards the game. His talent as a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler is unmatched, and his ability to turn the game around in just a few balls will forever be etched in the memory of cricket fans worldwide.
Yusuf Pathan's impact on cricket history cannot be overlooked. He was a fierce competitor, an exceptional leader and an inspiration to many aspiring players. His contributions will not be forgotten anytime soon.
FAQs
How many wickets has Yusuf Pathan taken in ODIs?
Yusuf Pathan has taken 33 wickets in ODIs.
How many centuries has Yusuf Pathan scored?
Yusuf Pathan has scored 2 centuries in ODIs.
What are some of Yusuf Pathan's records?
Yusuf Pathan previously held the record for the fastest fifty in IPL (15 balls), making him one of the most dynamic T20 cricketers of all time.
Has Yusuf Pathan captained any teams?
Yusuf Pathan was named vice-captain of the Rajasthan Royals during IPL 3 but did not captain any team officially.
When did Yusuf Pathan retire from cricket?
Yusuf announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in February 2021 via social media platforms.
