Published: Apr 28, 2017, 04:17 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 28, 2017, 04:58 PM (IST)
India‘s explosive middle-order batsman Yusuf Pathan became the second player for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to play his 100th game for the side in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He reached the landmark during his game against Zaheer Khan’s Delhi Daredevils (DD), in Match 32 of the ongoing IPL 2017 at the historic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on Friday. Yusuf has been playing for the side since 2011 and has been a consistent member of the side, as he has also been involved in the twin IPL title wins for Kolkata in 2012 and 2014. In IPL 2017, Yusuf has so far featured in all the nine games Kolkata have played. Full Cricket Scorecard, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Delhi Daredevils (DD), IPL 2017, Match 32 at Eden Gardens
His brother Irfan Pathan congratulated him on Twitter.
Playing 100 IPL matches 4 d same team is quite an achievement and you have done that with @KKRiders
Mubaraka Lala @IamYusufPathan #champion— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 28, 2017
Yusuf, who played for Rajasthan Royal (RR), in the first three seasons was purchased by KKR in 2011. He has now played 100 IPL games for RR and has scored 1,855 runs for the franchise.
From an out-and-out attacking batsman to more of a matured one, Yusuf recently said that he finds it comfortable to bat against an aggressive bowler. “The bowlers are becoming aggressive and I was enjoying that. When the bowler comes aggressively at you, I feel good because [which means] he wants to get me out and that leads to a good contest. I enjoy that contest and fighting back,” said Yusuf. Also, speaking on his performance for Kolkata so far this season, he has said, “Whenever the team has needed I have always delivered. I got off to a good start and finished well, as well.”
“I always try to assess the pressure that the bowler and the team are under when I go out to bat. I keep thinking that I have to stay at the wicket; as long as I am there the match is ours. I keep telling myself that. I convert the boundary balls into boundaries and the rotate the strike as well,” he added.
