Yusuf: 'It was a crime to get out versus DD'
On the eve of Kolkata Knight Riders’s home match against Gujarat Lions at the Eden Gardens, Yusuf Pathan speaks about his batting, his team’s dream run, the opposition among other things.
Published : Apr 20, 2017 20:19 IST
After scoring a fine 59 against Delhi Daredevils, Yusuf Pathan is keen to make more meaningful contributions for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). On the eve of KKR’s home match against Gujarat Lions (GL) at the Eden Gardens here, Yusuf fielded questions about his batting, his team’s dream run, the opposition among other things.
Excerpts:-On his game
My game hasn't changed. I have got more overs to play now, like 12-14. So keeping that in mind, my shots won't change, but at the same time I would look to play a longer innings. I am enjoying a lot. On Shakib Al Hasan sitting out The coach and captain will take a call. If you say we cannot fix one slot (opening), we are doing well in all other slots. There are a lot of positives to take from. The more we will play, combinations will be forged. The coach and captain are thinking over opening slot and they will come out with a solution.
On KKR's confidence When you come off a good away match, it is good. At home we are doing so well, so the confidence level is very high. We are playing good cricket and will look to continue that. Of course, we won against them (Delhi) handsomely and there is a certain confidence that is there. Our job is to play good cricket. We have nine matches to play; we will look to continue good work. On Gujarat Lions There is no weak team, in any competition, in any sport. All teams compete against each other and every team wants to win. There are two-three teams in every competition that despite their efforts don't do so well. That doesn't make them a weak team. On KKR’s experimentation KKR has always surprised. We have a lot of positives to talk about in the dressing room. So we are focussing more on that and not on the negative side. These aspects where we need to improve will help us when the competition is close and has entered its business end. On partnership with Manish Pandey I should have finished the match (against Delhi). It's not easy for the new batsman to continue the good work straight away. In the last match, after batting so well, I got out, which was a crime. I will try not to repeat the same mistake. On dropped catches Everyone is talking about it. We are working on it. We will improve for sure. On playing GL, a team from his state I have played for KKR for seven years. Gujarat has been in IPL for two years. I am all for KKR now and will give my best for KKR. They are also my people, Kolkata people are also my own.