Back in the spotlight after his awe-inspiring knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad, swashbuckling KKR batsman Yusuf Pathan attributed his success to team's bowling coach Wasim Akram who has helped him understand the psyche of opposition bowlers.
Yusuf, who smashed a scintillating 22-ball 72 to power Kolkata Knight Riders to finish second in the league table, said he "never went out of business" and was just "a little unlucky" as all cricketers go through such phases in their career.
He said the team's bowling coach Akram's advice was of great help to him to prepare mentally.
"Wasim Bhai is a great inspiration and he has a lot of good advice from all his experience that any player can learn from. He has helped me with the mental preparation and understanding a bowler's mindset to the game," Pathan told PTI in an interview.
Needing 161 in under 15 overs to book a second spot ahead of the play-offs, Yusuf struck four fours and seven sixes to take the Eden Gardens by storm and put KKR behind Kings XI Punjab. Yusuf, 31, described the effort as his best IPL knock.
"Definitely, because of the circumstances going into the match and also the value of the result to my team," said the Baroda bomber.
After a forgettable last season, Yusuf struggled for form for a good part of IPL-7 but has regained lost touch in the last few games.
Yusuf partially answered his critics with a composed 39 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and then a small but significant 22 against Royal Challengers Bangalore before the Eden outing.
Asked about whether vintage Yusuf is back in business, he said,"I never thought he went out of business. He was just a little unlucky and all cricketers go through phases in their career. I am just happy to have been able to contribute to my team," he said.
