The Pathan brothers !

Still Irfan and Yousuf make a formidable pair, but Srikanth & Co think otherwise.

Y Pathan was snapped up for 2.1 m dollars and Irfan for 1.9 m dollars in the IPL.

Irfan Pathan was the best allrounder India had after Kapil Dev. Since his batting had potential, Greg Chappell, the then coach, advised him to concentrate on batting, with the result his bowling fell apart.

Like Ishant Sharma who tried to bowl faster and lost his swing, Irfan could not be the new ball bowler he was. Irfan used to say that his elder brother is a better player than him.

Yousuf played well in IPL I and this attracted the attention of the selectors. Like Shane Watson, IPL was the cause of the rise of Yousuf.

Yousuf now has 2 centuries in ODIs, which had done his confidence a lot of good. 500 million cricket crzay Indians expect a lot from him in this World Cup.

He doesnt talk much. His willow does all the talking.

Yesterday many Indians were interviewed on TV channels. They were asked who will be India's stars for the World. Most of the Indians were unanimous in their opinion. It will be Sachin and Yousuf !

Now Yousuf is not inexperienced. Nor are the other batsmen ! Kohli and Raina are also now in form. So Indian batting is expected to do well, particularly in Indian conditions. The problem areas are fielding and bowling. One expert stated that is a slow squad on the field !

Yousuf is a good off spinner too and takes wickets. He is part of the five allrounders, others being Sachin, Sehwag, Yuvraj & Raina. On spin tracks, these five can be dangerous.

Yousuf has a strike rate of 115 in ODIs and is a nightmare for the opposition. Out of the 694 runs in ODIs he has scored, he has hit 55 fours and 36 sixes.

Experts feel that India's WC chances depends on Yousuf's broad shoulders, as they do on Sachin's and Sehwag's !