Playing against Yusuf scary: Irfan Pathan

New Delhi: Irfan and Yusuf Pathan are perhaps India's most popular siblings, devastating on the field and charming off it. The brothers are quite a prize catch for sponsors too these days.


CNN-IBN's Himanshu Singhal discovered there is much more to them than just batting and bowling.


Himanshu Singhal: With the absence of Brett Lee and S Sreesanth, are you ready to lead the attack in the IPL?


Irfan Pathan: To be honest, they are important and it makes a difference. Brett Lee is ahead of schedule in terms of getting fit. So, I think we are hopeful. But for Sreesanth, he will be missed. You cannot replace an Indian player.


Himanshu Singhal: Will your team be under pressure as you will be defending your crown?


Yusuf Pathan: It will difficult but we will not be under pressure. People have expectations but we are confident of playing well and reaching where we reached last year.


Himanshu Singhal: You have some happy memories of South Africa. You were the Man Of the Match in the final in the T20World Championship last year. In what sense do you think it will help your performance on the South African pitches.


Irfan Pathan: If you bring back the old memories it is always good. You get the kick out of it that you need. In terms of performance, I just need to keep on playing matches. The way I am bowling on the nets, I am confident of doing well in South Africa.


Himanshu Singhal: How much will you miss the Indian crowd in South Africa?


Yusuf Pathan: We will miss our home crowd but there are lots of Indians in South Africa. They will come to support us. But we will miss the local crowd of India. You get a lot of support when you are playing at home.




Himanshu Singhal: The two of you have really clicked in the advertising market as a brand. What do you make of it?


Irfan Pathan: We generally play fearless cricket, be it bowling or batting. Yusuf is one step ahead in that sense. These days the youngsters especially like the fearlessness. We both have quite a few similarities as well. Plus, you need to have connection with the brands that we are endorsing.


Himanshu Singhal: What are important areas that you are working on?


Irfan Pathan: I am working a lot on my batting. That's going to be crucial for me in the IPL and for the team, most importantly. And trying to work on a few more things to get fitter.


Himanshu Singhal: How is it competing against each other? Is there a healthy rivalry?


Irfan Pathan: When it comes to playing against each other it is a bit scary when you are just about to play. When you start playing, you just see him as an opponent and try to give your best. You are thinking about being brothers and all when you finish the game.


Yusuf Pathan: He is bowling for his team and I am batting for mine. We both want to make our teams won. I see a bowler coming towards me, not a brother. I treat him the same way as I treat the other bowlers.


Himanshu Singhal: What is one thing that irritates you about Irfan.


Yusuf Pathan: When he pulls my leg.


Irfan Pathan: No, I don't pull his leg. He is lying. I have to say the same thing about Yusuf. One positive thing that I really like about Yusuf is that he is very mature.


He is a true elder brother. He not only looks after our own family, but he looks after the cousins as well. If a cousin is a two-year-old, he will buy nappies as well. So, he is quite homely in that sense, which I really admire.