Sometimes it takes just one knock to change a cricketer's career.
Yusuf Pathan smashed himself into the record books when he blazed 210 off just 190 balls to guide West Zone to a world record chase of 536 against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final.
The 27-year-old all-rounder is now hoping that, after what he describes as the 'best innings of my life', he will be taken more seriously as a batsman rather than just a Twenty20 specialist, a tag he acquired following his exploits with the bat in the Indian Premier League.
Confident after centuries in both innings of the Duleep Trophy final, he is hoping to carry the good batting form into the upcoming ODI series against South Africa and seal a permanent slot in the team.
Yusuf spoke with Chief Correspondent Harish Kotian on his magical innings in the Duleep Trophy final, and the 'Twenty20 specialist' tag that he is looking to shed.
How would you describe the double century in the Duleep Trophy final? Would you say it was the best innings of your career?
Obviously, it is the best innings of my life. My previous best was the 187 I made against Bengal, but in this match [Duleep Trophy final] I scored two centuries. I made a double century under pressure in the second innings, when we were chasing a huge 536 for victory. That is why I rate this as the best innings I ever played.
West Zone were chasing a mammoth 536 for victory. When you came in to bat the score was 239 for three, and more than 300 runs needed for victory. At what point did you think it was possible to chase down the target? How crucial was the partnership with your brother Irfan?
After we were given a good start [130-run stand] by the openers we knew had a chance. We just looked to apply ourselves out in the middle and bat for as long as possible, because we had time on our hands. We knew that if we batted out the overs we could win this match; that is what we looked to do.
That partnership of 84 runs [for the sixth wicket] with Irfan was crucial, because if he had got out early then the tail would have been exposed. Irfan supported me well and we built a good partnership, which proved crucial in the final analysis.
Did you change your game slightly? Were you restricted in terms of shot selection on the final day?
I did change my game slightly after we lost the top batsmen and I was the only recognised batsman out in the middle. I looked to apply myself, started off cautiously, but did not stop playing my shots. It was only that I focussed on my shot selection because I knew I was middling the ball; I only looked to pick the right balls to hit.
How much confidence has that match-winning innings given you as you look to make a comeback into the Indian team?
It has given me a lot of confidence. It is heartening to know that whenever they will talk about this world record chase, they will also take my name in the same vein. I hope I can make a comeback to the Indian team and play many more match-winning innings like that.
You have been tagged as a Twenty20 player after your exploits in the IPL. Do you think the two hundreds in the final of the Duleep Trophy will shake off that tag and people will finally realise that you are capable of playing the big innings too?
I know I am capable of playing the big innings and I have proved that already with a few big innings for Baroda in domestic cricket. I also scored a couple of half-centuries in ODIs, against Sri Lanka and England, in the limited opportunities I have got. I know I can apply myself when needed and play the big innings to win matches for my country.
Shane Warne has said, 'Yusuf to me is a match-winner. There are not many match-winners with the bat who can change the course of the game in 2 or 3 overs. If he is used properly, he can change the course of the game.' Would you say you still haven't got that chance to show your full potential and play a big knock in One-Dayers?
Obviously, if a legend like Shane Warne says that, then there is potential; he must have seen something in my game which made him say that. I hope I can live upto his expectations and perform well for India and Rajasthan Royals. The selection is not in my hands, but whenever I get a chance I will give my best and look to win matches.
I am working hard on my batting and hope to repeat those brilliant performances for my country too. I have performed for my state Baroda, for West Zone, for my IPL team Rajasthan Royals, so I am hoping to win a lot of matches for my country.
Whenever I play for India I usually bat at number seven. That position is difficult, because you have to score runs quickly. But with the introduction of the Batting Powerplay things have become a bit easy. So that position suits me, because I love hitting the big shots. But, at the same time, I am also ready to bat at any position the team wants me to.
What is your approach to batting? Do you look to attack every ball, or prefer waiting for the right delivery?
When I get a ball in my area or my range I look to hit it and score maximum runs. If I see the ball in my zone I am comfortable going after it. That is what everyone also tells me to do. Even Shane Warne has also been telling for the last two years in the IPL that if the ball is in your zone just go for it and hit it; that is what I look to do. I know that if I connect that delivery with the middle of the bat it will either go out of the ground or out of the boundary lines.
Do you also want to play Test cricket for India? How do you look at that?
Inshallah, I will keep working hard on my game. I hope I get a chance to play Test cricket someday.
Is it necessary to improve your bowling skills to seal a permanent slot in the Indian team?
I am also working on my bowling and I have done well whenever I have bowled in international cricket. I have provided breakthroughs whenever needed and also bowled tight spells in the Powerplay overs when called upon by the captain.
I am sure that as I keep playing more matches at the international level I will keep learning from my experienced team mates and improve my bowling.
How much help does Irfan provide when you are dropped from the Indian team?
As a brother and cricketer, he is of great help. We help each other a lot, because we know each other's strong and weak points. We analyse each other's game whenever we discuss cricket; that makes a lot of difference when someone observes your game so closely. He has been of great support whenever I am confused or looking for help.
Irfan had a splendid season in domestic cricket, where he captained Baroda, and finished as the top run-getter and wicket-taker for his team. Do you think he deserves a comeback to the Indian team?
Irfan performed very well and had a great season, both with bat and ball. He was leading the team, but despite having that extra responsibility he performed well and scored more runs than the top batsmen, and took more wickets than anyone else. He has set a great example and led his team from the front, even in the Duleep Trophy. I am sure that if he continues playing so well in domestic cricket he will soon make a comeback to the Indian team.
If you both are selected, you will be competing against your brother for the all-rounder's slot in the Indian team. How do you look at it?
I don't look it as competition, because we both are different types of players and have different roles to perform. Irfan is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm fast bowler, while I am a right-handed batsman and bowl off-spin. So there is no comparison between us. Even if there is competition for that all-rounder's slot, the team will decide who to select, depending on the conditions and the team balance.
Photographs: Reuters
