I am fortunate to have got guidance from Kirsten - Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf Pathan, the explosive Indian all-rounder hailed the guidance of India’s coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gary-Kirsten-c58527, saying that he is fortunate to have been coached by him.
“I have been fortunate to have guidance from someone like Kirsten”, Yusuf told the media.
Yusuf was filled with admiration for the former South African opener, adding that he gave extra attention to each player.
“He is a coach who will always have time for having one-on-one sessions after regular training”, Yusuf said before adding that even after his regular net session, the coach would be ready to give him extra practice.
Kirsten has expressed his desire of spending more time with his family. Media reports had been speculating over Kirsten’s desire to take up a job closer to home and the reports were confirmed earlier this week when a BCCI senior official said that Kirsten
had asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to not extend his coaching contract that expires after the World Cup 2011.
Media reports suggested that he might take up the job of coaching South Africa, who will also be without a coach after the World Cup. The speculations reached full throttle when the Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 (CSA) extended its deadline for submitting applications
for the post from 7 January to 18 February.
However, Yusuf Pathan refused to indulge in speculations saying that the team needs to focus on the challenge ahead, rather than the future.
“He is with us right now, that is important...don’t want to think about what will happen later”, Yusuf replied.
Kirsten and Indian captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 dominating in the year 2010 and have helped the side to rise to number one in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.
He is considered to be the most successful amongst the three foreign coaches of India, including current New Zealand’s coach, John Wright, and Greg Chappell.
Dhoni had earlier stated that the team will respect Kirsten’s decision, saying that he has devoted three years to the Indian team and he has hardly given any time to be with his family.
Yusuf echoed Dhoni’s feelings saying that family comes first before the money aspect, a situation that Yusuf knows best.
His brother, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601 failed to find a place in the preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup due to his indifferent form in recent times. However, Yusuf stated that his brother always had the confidence in Yusuf’s success.
“The confidence was there, thanks to my brother...he stood by me even when I was in and out of the Indian team”, he admitted.
Tags: