SportsCenter India's Achint Gupta caught up with Indian cricketing brothers Irfan and Yusuf Pathan for an exclusive chat.
They may be known as the half-brothers, but they certainly leave no scope for word 'half' to exist. Ever since Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka on a day when Hussey brothers (Mike and David) did it against South Africa, the Pathans have redefined brotherhood.
"When Yusuf walked into bat at seven down, I told him that we have to play till the last over but he simply kept on hitting and got a four and two sixes. His risks were calculated that allowed me to open up," Irfan recalls the glorious day adding, "It was very special for us."
Brotherly wonders are coming since school days
After that sizzling effort, the duo became the hot property of Indian cricket. Irfan, a left-arm pacer who bats with lot of common sense and Yusuf, an off-spinner who hits long sixes; have done the brotherly wonder even in their school days. "During an inter school match in Baroda I made 150 runs and Yusuf made 180 runs and we had put up a score of 400 runs," says Irfan.
Clearly, the brothers have been instrumental in each other's growth as a cricketers. "Irfan's international experience really came in handy. Even when I wasn't in the team he used to tell me what to do and what to focus on. And when I made it to the team I learnt how to handle crowd pressure from him," Yusuf tells SportsCenter.
"In my tough days Yusuf's presence in the team is a major boost. He is such a calm and composed person and always gives point-to-point advice which really helps me," reiterates Irfan who looked like answering India's search for a new Kapil Dev before his bowling fell apart in last couple of year. "I am getting there again. I did well in the ODI against New Zealand but didn't get an opportunity thereafter," he adds affirming his brother that he will be back in his prime soon.
Both are also fierce competitors
Brotherhood is precious to them but when they are facing each other then there are no gifts.
"Last year in the IPL people were anticipating that we would be up against each other but that never happened as when I bowled he (Yusuf) was out and vice-versa in both the games (of Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab).
"I guess it is good for the crowd to see us pitted against each other. The sad thing is that one has to win and the other has to lose when that happens, but we don't think about it while playing," says Irfan.
The brothers who have modeled themselves on the Waugh brothers (Steve and Mark) wish that they can repeat the ICC World Twenty20 feat of 2007 this June.
Irfan: Crowd make the game bigger
Being celebrity brothers has its own advantages and although till now Irfan and Yusuf have not appeared as brand ambassadors of the product which targets their brotherhood, the possibility doesn't look distinct. Even in their personal lives the essence of brotherhood is maintained. "Yusuf is a responsible son. Mom and Dad only ask him if they want anything. I am a naughty child," smiles Irfan. Yusuf adds, "I like his naughtiness but sometimes it gets a little overboard."
In their mid-twenties, the Pathan household is waiting for wedding bells as well. "Yusuf will get married first, we are looking for a girl for him and then I will get married," Irfan chalks out the strategy.
But when asked cheekily by this correspondent whether there are any plans to tie the knot together, Irfan was equally cheeky with the reply; "No, not at all, we can't be doing everything together. And you see we need to give more opportunities to our relatives to attend our functions."
Pathan brothers differ on lot of issues
If there are advantages of being celebrity brothers then there are disadvantages as well. People expect them to be not just brothers but twins who would do everything together and who also have similar habits. But with Irfan and Yusuf that is not the case.
They have always believed in their individuality and probably that's what explains their difference of opinion when it comes to animals. "I love to spend time with animals. They are very loyal and they never hurt you unless you trouble them," says Yusuf who was recently seen with a bear in Agra.
"I don't like pets especially cats and I don't like them spilling hair all around. But I do respect Yusuf's likings," says Irfan. In fact it was quite a sight in Sri Lanka when Yusuf held a python together and made Irfan touch it.
There is a remarkable difference in their personality, difference in their playing style and difference in the way they communicate, but when it comes to a motto in life there is no difference. "We want to play for India as long as possible."
If they do so, then Indian cricket will surely benefit from them provided we allow them to be at the individual best even when they are playing together.