I will keep playing my natural game

At practice,Yusuf Pathan repeatedly changed t-shirts,switched nets to extend his stint with the bat,and then sent the ball into the adjacent golf course on the circumference of the palace building at Motibaug. Yusuf doesnt care that he will be wearing white flannels in Barodas Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi on Tuesday,nor is he bothered that its a red ball and the game is spread over four days. His unflinching belief in his brand remains despite the format of the game.

I know I have to make my comeback into the Indian one-day team from four-day matches,and Ill do it by playing attacking and aggressive cricket. Thats how I have scored centuries for my state,and Ill continue. People have asked me how does it feel to play the longer version after my T20 exploits. They ask if I will still hit big shots. My answer is yes,thats my style, he says.

In India,there is very little of T20 and one-day cricket in the domestic structure. So any player who has come up has been from the Ranji Trophy. Thats how I first earned my reputation. Purists might not like it a lot of my shots look crude to them,but every cricketer plays his cricket in all seriousness and with a lot of calculation. If theres a shot that can be played,and its in my area of strength,I will hit it.

Baroda coach Paras Mhambrey,too,says he will back Yusuf to play his natural game. A player like him can snatch the match away from the opposition in a session. Ive always encouraged him to play his natural game. Delhi are hoping to play on his patience in the Ranji season opener. When asked about that,Yusuf merely smiles. Id rather let my bat do the talking.