Proper from his worldwide debut throughout India’s 2007 T20 World Cup remaining triumph in opposition to Pakistan, Yusuf Pathan has confirmed to be a “large match participant”. On Tuesday, one half of Baroda’s well-known Pathan brothers, the opposite being charismatic former pacer Irfan, is rising as an enormous match participant on the best way extra complicated political turf. The Trinamool Congress candidate is main seasoned Congressman and five-time MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury by over 75,000 votes in what’s being seen as a shocker from the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. He might effectively become a giant-slayer going by the present development.
“Uparwale ka rahem, karam bolein (Name this God’s mercy, blessings), I at all times really feel that I’m for giant matches, moments,” Yusuf had stated after accepting TMC’s provide to change to politics.
“I simply must bat for them. I do not wish to develop into a politician. I wish to maintain my picture of a sportsperson intact. However after profitable, I’ll work for my constituency and can guarantee that I spend at the least eight days in a month there,” he had promised.
The 41-year-old is a first-timer with regards to politics, his life thus far has been outlined by cricket the place he earned the popularity of being a strong and clear striker of the ball.
Yusuf’s change to politics was, subsequently, a shock name, or in hindsight, a masterstroke by chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
The duo had celebrated collectively on the Eden Gardens with workforce proprietor Shah Rukh Khanwhen Yusuf’s IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders triumphed in 2012 and 2014.
In a constituency which has over 66 per cent Muslim inhabitants, Mamata selected to pit Yusuf in opposition to the heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
Only a week earlier than TMC launched the checklist of its candidates, Mamata approached Yusuf and he was in two minds earlier than lastly agreeing, a battle former India captain Sourav Ganguly described as akin to going through Australian pacer Brett Lee.
Apart from Chowdhury, Yusuf needed to tackle BJP’s Nirmal Chandra Saha, a recognized physician from the area and likewise take care of the “outsider” barbs from the opposition.
However the former all-rounder took it upon himself and sometimes repeated TMC’s mantra of “Khela Hobe” (I am up for a battle).
That he at all times had a abdomen for a battle was evident from his cricket profession as a result of in comparison with his youthful brother, Yusuf was a late bloomer however when he did make his place within the aspect, he turned an affect participant a lot earlier than the time period turned an everyday in cricketing lexicon.
4 years after that momentous T20 World Cup triumph, Yusuf was seen lifting Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders in India’s victory parade after profitable the 2011 ODI World Cup.
The dynamic all-rounder is among the few cricketers to have gained each the T20 and ODI World Cups, to not point out three IPL titles for 2 totally different franchises.
Born on November 17, 1982, Yusuf’s journey to cricketing stardom is a narrative of perseverance and dedication, deeply rooted in his youth in Vadodara.
Rising up within the bustling neighborhood across the metropolis’s well-known Jama Masjid, Yusuf and his youthful brother Irfan have been uncovered to the challenges and struggles of life from an early age.
Their father, Mehmood Khan Pathan, labored tirelessly as a muezzin, calling the devoted to prayer 5 instances a day.
Regardless of the modest earnings and the demanding nature of his job, Mehmood Khan instilled a powerful sense of self-discipline and religion in his youngsters.
The Pathan brothers’ love for cricket blossomed within the slender lanes and small grounds round Jama Masjid.
Their uncooked expertise didn’t go unnoticed, and it was right here that Yusuf’s path crossed with Mehendi Sheikh, an area coach who would develop into instrumental in shaping his cricketing profession.
Recognising Yusuf’s potential, Sheikh took him underneath his wings, offering not solely technical steerage but in addition emotional help and encouragement.
Underneath his mentorship, Yusuf honed his abilities, particularly his highly effective hitting capability, which might later develop into his trademark in worldwide cricket.
A groin niggle to Virender Sehwag gave the burly Baroda-man a shock debut in opposition to Pakistan on September 24, 2007.
His contribution was minimal in India’s solely T20 World Cup success, however his aggressive intent and the knack of getting breakthroughs along with his wily off-spinners shortly made him an India common within the restricted overs format.
Regardless of being the elder of the 2 brothers, Yusuf made his worldwide debut three years after Irfan. This delay solely fuelled his willpower to succeed.
His capability to show matches round along with his power-hitting and essential wickets made him a significant participant for India in shorter codecs as he turned a member of the MS Dhoni-led batch of 2011 that lifted the ODI World Cup.
However Pathan’s most memorable moments got here within the IPL, the place he captivated followers with a scintillating 37-ball century in opposition to Mumbai Indians in 2010, one of many quickest centuries within the match’s historical past.
This exceptional feat, alongside along with his key position in Rajasthan Royals’ title-winning marketing campaign within the inaugural season in 2008, solidified his standing as a T20 legend.
That includes in all matches in 2008, he scored 435 runs at a strike fee of 179.01 and took eight wickets.
Pathan joined KKR in 2011 and have become a everlasting member of the workforce for seven years.
His solely remorse was not having the ability to characteristic in any Assessments for India. He might effectively find yourself enjoying an extended sport within the discipline of politics although.
Matters talked about on this article
