Star all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, who fetched R 9.66 crore, is keen to revive KKR's fortunes with a maiden semi-final spot in IPL 4
Star all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, who fetched R 9.66 crore, is keen to revive KKR's fortunes with a maiden semi-final spot in IPL 4
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It's not even 24 hours since Kolkata Knight Riders bought Yusuf Pathan for a whopping R 9.66 crore on Saturday. However, the India all-rounder has already set his target with the new franchise for the fourth IPL season.
Knowing that the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team failed to qualify for the semis of the last three editions, Yusuf's first target is to get his team to qualify for the Top Four. "Gauti (Gambhir), Jacques Kallis and I will play a key role to win matches because we all know KKR has not done well in the IPL. Inshallah, we will do it this time (qualify for the semis) and then hopefully play the final," Yusuf told SUNDAY MiD DAY.
Yusuf stressed he would like to play under Gambhir, who hit the jackpot with R 11.04 crore on Day One of the auction in Bangalore. "We won five-nil against New Zealand under his captaincy," he said.
The Baroda player, who was the highest run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 1011 in 42 innings in three IPL editions, said he was not surprised by the money he fetched. "I knew I would get a lot," he quipped. "I was in the shower when I got a call from a friend, who said KKR have bought me."
Yusuf can't wait to play at the Eden Gardens. "It is a special place to play cricket. I am sure I will enjoy playing there. The atmosphere is electric and I am looking forward to going there," he said.
He also wants to lap up Bengali cuisine. "I would like to sample some pomfret dishes," he said.u00a0
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Meanwhile, looking back at the three years he spent with Rajasthan Royals, he said: "I will miss Shane Warne and Rajasthan Royals. We had a friendly atmosphere. It was a great experience being champions under Warne.
RR will also miss me, but we have to accept it."
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