Player of The IPL - Yusuf Pathan

Player of The IPL

Name: Yusuf Khan Pathan

Born: Nov 17 , 1982, Baroda, Gujarat

Age: 27 years 4 months

Team: India,Rajasthan Royals

Batting Style: RHS

Bowling Style: RHS

ODI Debut: Pakistan vs India-June 10, 2008

Twenty 20 Debut: Pakistan vs India-September 24, 2007

Profile:

Yusuf Khan Pathan made his Ranji debut against Saurashtra in 2001-02. Yusuf, a right-handed batsman and a Right Arm offbreak bowler, was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a whopping $ 475,000. Brother of Indian cricket team all - Rounder Irfan Pathan, Yusuf made his mark as a hard - Hitting batsman and off Spinner for the Baroda Under 16 team in the Vijay Merchant Trophy in 1999 - 2000.

Out of the 31 first class matches played by Yusuf, the 25-year-old has scored over 1500 runs at an average of 36.63. Yusuf ended the 2004-2005 season as Baroda's fourth - highest scorer and third - highest wicket - taker. In the 2006-2007 Ranji Trophy, Yusuf had the highest strike rate. The same season, he showed impressive performances in the Deodhar Trophy and Twenty20 domestic tournament that fetched him a spot in India's squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

In the first edition of the IPL, Yusuf scored 435 runs in his 15 innings in the middle, with a highest score of 68, at an average of 31.07 and a strike rate of 173.31, smashing 24 sixes and 43 fours in the tournament, in addition to 3 catches. He took 10 wickets in the tournament, with a best of 2/20 at an average of 23, with an Economy rate of 8.21 and a strike rate of 168.

Although he may not have enjoyed the success of last year's edition, Pathan nonetheless made vital contributions to swing matches his team's way in the second edition of the IPL. Most stunning was his assault on Ajantha Mendis of the Kolkata Knight Riders when he won the match for his team in the Super Over.