Yusuf Pathan insists ‘confident’ KKR up for remaining IPL challenge

Yusuf Pathan insists ‘confident’ KKR up for remaining IPL challenge

ANIUpdated: Friday, May 31, 2019, 03:48 PM IST
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Bangalore: After guiding his side to a five-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash last evening, Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Yusuf Pathan has admitted that his side have turned into a much confident unit and are geared up for any challenge ahead. “The batsmen batting in the middle and lower order feel the pressure of not getting much opportunity. But a good thing for us is now everyone is clicking. We are a confident unit now,” Yusuf was quoted as saying by ESPNcricnfo.

Chasing a daunting target of 186 runs, Yusuf and Andre Russell (39) shared a huge 96-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help Knight Riders clinch their fifth IPL win with five balls to spare at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here.Referring to his partnership with Russell, Yusuf insisted, “We were not thinking of anything in particular. We knew if we stuck around and played our shots, the target will not be too difficult to chase. At one point, when I was setting myself up, Russell played really well, taking the pressure off me. So that was very important that we played for each other.”

The right-handed batsman also lavished praise on Gautam Gambhir, saying the latter is a really good captain who is always ready to back his players.  “Gambhir is a very good captain and he believes in, and backs his players under any situation. If you noticed today, Piyush gave away some runs early on in his first two overs, but Gambhir trusted him and gave him the ball again. And see, he picked up wickets later on. It is important for us players that your captain backs you all the time,” said Yusuf.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla went on to give away 24 runs in his first two overs, but Gambhir trusted him and gave him an extended spell. He, however, returned his skipper’s faith by bagging two important wickets of KL Rahul (52) and AB de Villiers (four) respectively. Kolkata, who are currently standing second in the point table, will next lock horns with Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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