Surprisingly, Yusuf Pathan didn’t quite dominate the IPL this time around, but he did enough to enhance his reputation as a fierce hitter who can chase down any target and create panic in the rival ranks. With three Man of the Match awards and his Super Over heroics against the Kolkata Knight Riders, the spotlight will be on Pathan during the World T20 Championship next month.

Have you always had an attacking game?

Well, yes. It just came naturally, nobody told me to be so. When I was 14, my first coach Bashir Shaikh saw me bat — at that time, I didn’t have much power in my strokes. But he told me I had the perfect grip and asked me to never change it. Sometimes he used to appreciate my game but I also used to get scolded a lot.

Were you scolded for taking risks?

No, he never scolded me for playing big strokes. But he did get upset when I got out to a half-hearted shot. He always told me that, if you had an attacking game and had power in your strokes, you should go for it. The fielder should think twice before he sticks out his hand to stop the ball. There were days when I used to get out with the team just short of target. He used to yell at me, saying I should remain unbeaten when the team wins.

When did you first realise you had power in your strokes?

I really don’t remember. But I always knew I was capable of hitting big strokes. Even before the IPL and the India cap, there were people who told me I had the ability. I generally don’t give much thought to what people say but somewhere deep inside I felt, kuch to baat hogi mujh mein, tabhi to log bol rahe hain (there must be something in me, that’s why people are saying this). Then I played Ranji Trophy and hit some big scores.

Was your batting inspired by anyone?

Not initially. There was no television at home when I was young and we didn’t have many friends, so Irfan and I used to just play. Later, watching a rerun of a game, I saw Sachin Tendulkar hitting big shots against Australia in Sharjah. It was the tournament where he hit two successive tons. It had a huge impact on me and I tried to copy his strokes during practice. Irfan and I used to compete hitting big shots and, as we grew up, I started winning more often.

You must have broken several bats...were you ever refused one?

Luckily, that’s never happened. We were provided with bats at our club. Nobody has ever told me I can’t use their bats because I will play a rash stroke. Actually, people who know me, know I play technically perfect strokes. Only, sometimes they used to ask me play more ground strokes. My coach told me a simple thing early in life — what you play at nets, try to play the same during the match.

People say no target is impossible with Yusuf Pathan around.

Obviously once you start doing well, expectations rise. Whether I play for my state, IPL or India, I get positive vibes. I have begun enjoying such situations. I simply look at it as my job — even if my team needs 20 runs per over, I think I can get it.

Do field placements make any difference?

No they don’t. Usually when I go out to bat, be it T20 or ODI, I get 5 to 10 overs. So if I have to play my strokes, I only make sure they clear the field.

Do rival bowlers ask you to go easy?

My friends usually do. They do it just for fun but Irfan never does that; he knows what will happen (laughs). He only says, ‘I will take your wicket’.

During the IPL, rival captains seemed to reserve their main bowlers for you.

It feels good that I will be playing the main bowler. It helps the other players in my team.

Are you the next Lance Klusener?

I play my natural game, it’s good for my team if opponents think so about me. It’s good for me also but I don’t think about it. I think I have earned a reputation but it’s just beginning. I have to perform every time.