Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up about two memorable incidents involving his elder brother Yusuf Pathan from their time in the Indian Premier League. The brothers never played together for one team in the IPL, which meant they faced each other on the field on more than one occasion across their respective franchises.
Irfan represented Punjab, Delhi Daredevils, SunRisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Super Giants and Gujarat Lions during his IPL career, while Yusuf turned out for Rajasthan
Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite sharing a dressing room for India, including during the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning campaign, the two brothers found themselves on opposing sides whenever their IPL teams met.
Speaking of incidents from their past, Irfan recalled how multiple incidents have occurred between the pair, also recalling being scolded by members of his family for taking his brother's catch.
"There was a game against Rajasthan in South Africa. I stepped out to Yusuf bhai and hit him for a six. Then I hit a four as well. Later, when he came to bat, he was stepping out against me from the first ball. When I was playing for Delhi and he was in KKR, there was a game in Raipur. He was in the mood to hit, and I took his catch. I was at short fine leg. The ball was going towards deep square leg, but it was very high. It was that fielder's catch, but I ran and took the catch. My family was saying [It was not your catch why you went for it and] why took your brother's catch. The only thing is we never played together for one team in the IPL," Irfan said on an episode of Cheeky Singles
Irfan also jokingly questioned the favour shown to his brother by members of his family due to the latter being the older sibling in the house.
"I always thought he (Yusuf) got more support. Dad has always been neutral. But my mom and sister say they support him more because he talks less. I say, what logic is this? They say he does not share his pain and is very quiet. But the thing is, he is the elder one, and that's why he gets a little more love at home," Irfan said.
"From childhood, I have hurt Yusuf like I have broken his teeth or hand and if you see his middle finger, there is an operation done. That finger was cut by closing the door of the bathroom. I have troubled him a lot. But that was not intentional. It was just me pulling my elder brother's leg. But does that mean you will always support him?" he added.
