The recently-married Yusuf Pathan was one of the earliest superstars of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and developed a huge fan base courtesy his monstrous six-hitting ability. Over the last couple of seasons though he has had a torrid time in the league, courtesy of which his popularity has taken a massive beating. Here’s a look at the rise and fall of Pathan in numbers in the IPL over the years.
2008: Rajasthan Royals
The inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League saw the big hitter at his best. In 16 matches, Pathan smashed 435 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of 179. He slammed as many as 25 sixes in the tournament, often coming in at the end overs and making the big difference. Pathan’s highest in the tournament was 68, and his average 31. His consistency also saw his register four half-centuries in the event. Apart from his blistering batting, Pathan also chipped in with his off spinners, claiming eight wickets at an average of 28.75. His economy of 8.16 was on the higher side, but acceptable for a part-timer. Pathan’s wonderful performances played a major role in Rajasthan winning the inaugural edition of the IPL.
2009: Rajasthan Royals
Pathan featured in 13 matches and managed243 runs at a significantly lower but much impressive strike rate of 132. His highest in the tournament was 62 not out, and his average somewhat disappointing at 20.25. Also, Pathan managed only one half century in the edition, and the number of sixes he hit had also fallen – 12. With the ball, Pathan snared seven wicketsaveraging 34.71 at a decent economy rate of 6.94. The fall in Pathan’s numbers also reflected in the team’s performance as they did not progress a long way.
2010: Rajasthan Royals
Pathan made a wonderfulreturn to form with thebat even as he did not do anything with the ball. In 14 games, Pathan smashed 333 runs at a blazing strike rate of 165, with as many as 24 sixes. Looking a lot more confident, he even smashed a 100 in the tournament apart from a fifty. While his average during this edition improved to 27.75, once again the Royals failed to progress all the way.
2011: Kolkata Knight Riders
This was an average season for the big-hitting lower order bat. In 15 matches, he compiled 283 runs at a strike rate of 141 with the help of 13 sixes. With a highest of 47* not out, he averaged 28.30. Pathan had a better run with the ball, 13 wickets at an average of 18.30 and a very good economy of 6.10.
2012: Kolkata Knight Riders
This was worst year for Pathan,unless of course he does even more poorly this year. In 17 matches, he made 194 runs at a below par striker ate of 115. His average also dropped to 19.40. The telling aspect of his performance was that he managed only seven sixes during the entire edition without a fifty. He did precious little with the ball as well.
2013: Kolkata Knight Riders
In five matches in the ongoing season, he has managed only 61 runs at strike rate of 113. His highest has been 27 and average merely 20.
--By A Cricket Analyst
