IPL 2016: Yusuf Pathan believes Virat Kohli's determination sets him apart from the rest
The 33-year-old Kolkata Knight Riders pinch-hitter, Yusuf Pathan who himself has been in sublime form in the latter half of the 2016 Indian Premier League has heaped praises on the current Indian Test captain, Virat Kohli. Kohli, having scored four centuries in this year's Vivo IPL, has guided the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a promising position in the league table with a single group match left.
Yusuf Pathan, who has represented India in 57 One Day Internationals, feels that Virat Kohli one of the most determined batsmen in world cricket. In an interview given to the Times of India (TOI), Pathan also revealed that one of the main reasons the Delhi batsman plays so freely is because he doesn't take success for granted.
“Virat is extremely determined. He may have scored four hundreds this season (in the 2016 Indian Premier League), but I'm sure there are more to come. He's just so determined. He doesn't take his success for granted and that is why he is able to play like this,” the 33-year-old said.
“Every innings he plays is different from the other. Frankly, I don't have words to describe Kohli's batting. In fact, I don't think any words can describe it. He is batting like a dream. He has become very inspiring for world cricket,” Pathan added.
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A few evenings ago, Yusuf Pathan had played a match-winning 20-ball 37 against MS Dhoni's Rising Pune Supergiants to steer the Knight Riders over the finishing line at Eden Gardens. The win kept the Kolkata-based franchise afloat in this year's Vivo Indian Premier League. He had also played a few terrific knocks time and again to prove that he isn't finished yet.
However, Pathan had no shame in admitting the fact that he is learning a lot about batting from Virat Kohli. “There is no age for learning. He is motivating a lot of batsmen who are playing in the IPL,” he told TOI.
KKR in a spot of bother
Gautam Gambhir's men who had started this year's Indian Premier League with a bang now find themselves in a spot of bother with a single group stage match left to be played.
After 13 matches, the Knight Riders are currently fourth in the league table with a total of 14 points in their kitty. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (3rd), Mumbai Indians (5th) and Delhi Daredevils (6th) have managed to gather 14 points as well as this year's IPL and the battle for the playoff spots will go down to the wire.
“We just need to win comprehensively in our last league match. We are a confident bunch and know how to feed off each other's success,” Yusuf Pathan said as his side is gearing up to face the league leaders, the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens on Sunday.