Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Yusuf Pathan flew back to India shortly after the teams' thumping win against Mumbai Indians in the IPL opener after the news of his wife delivering their first baby reached the UAE.
Yusuf, 31, is likely to miss KKR's second match against Delhi Daredevils but the hard-hitting batsman is expected to return by the third game, confirmed a team official.
Sent into bat at No.5 with just a couple of overs remaining in the innings, Yusuf remained unbeaten on 4. He didn't get to bowl.
The Baroda skipper had been in good touch coming into the tournament, scoring 135 runs at 67.50 in four matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, at a strike rate of 182.43.
In the cash-rich league, Yusuf has accumulated 1824 runs in 92 games with a strike rate of 146.97.
He was bought back by Kolkata for Rs 3.25 crore in the February auctions, where the franchise used a right-to-match card on him.
Yusuf's brother Irfan, who is with Sunrisers Hyderabad, tweeted as a proud uncle on Thursday: @IrfanPathan Alrightttt this is great no words can Describe the feeling.My bro Yusuf n Bhabhi blessed with baby boy I'm CHACHU now.Ya rab Tera Shukar hai.
