Yusuf plays new role to perfection

34 balls, 73 runs, two boundaries and eight massive sixes.

Those were Yusuf Pathan's statistics in a knock that ensured Rajasthan Royals a remarkably easy eight-wicket win over defending champions Deccan Chargers at Motera, in Ahmedabad, on Friday.

And, needless to say, it earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Yusuf's hurricane knock ensured Rajasthan raced to their target with a whopping 26 balls (4.2 overs) to spare.

The elder of the Pathan brothers had been appointed the vice-captain on Friday morning and he justified the appointment during the match, executing his role to perfection.

It was the second significant contribution from Yusuf's blade in this tournament following his 37-ball 100 in Rajasthan's opening loss to the Mumbai Indians.

The first wicket partnership had yielded Rajasthan 55 runs in 39 balls and in a bid to build on the start the hosts promoted Yusuf up the order.

And he expressed his gratitude to the think tank by smashing the second ball he faced for a maximum over long-off.

He continued the onslaught with a couple of boundaries and a six in Ojha's second over.

And in the 13th over, bowled by Chaminda Vaas, Yusuf smashed two sixes to reach his 50, off just 23 balls.

Three more sixes from his blade, two in the 16th over bowled by Rahul Sharma, ensured an emphatic win for his side.