All-time game-changers XI in the history of the IPL

6) Yusuf Pathan

Do you remember the Indian cricketer who made his debut in the 2007 T20 World Cup final? You guessed it right, it is Yusuf Pathan who I am talking about. A batsman who is known for chewing gums while batting, Yusuf always played the game with a sense of swagger. For him, it was my way or the highway.

That’s the reason why he was more suited for the shortest format of the game. As it turned out, he became one of the finest T20 exponents to emerge from the country. He has amassed close to 5000 runs and has also picked 99 wickets with his part-time off-spin bowling. As expected, Pathan’s biggest T20 moments have come in the IPL.

In the initial years, his range hitting was one of the highlights of the league. Especially, his 35 ball century against Mumbai Indians is a special one as he struck that while batting at No.5, a rare feat in T20s. In the latter years also, his finishing skills terrified the opposition. In all, he has garnered more than 3200 runs at a strike rate of 143.

The thing about Yusuf is he can quickly shift the momentum of a game with his aggressive hitting. When he gets on a roll, the bowling attacks are at his mercy. He may not be the most consistent batsman, but his finishing skills have led the teams to championships, and that’s a skill only a few possess.