Yusuf Pathan delighted to see his prediction on Hardik come true

Bengaluru, August 14: Yusuf Pathan could not watch Hardik Pandya's devastating innings live as he was out of station. Yusuf, the former Indian international cricketer did not waste any after having returned home straight from airport sat in front of the television to watch the highlights of Hardik's stormy 108 off 96 balls against Sri Lanka in the third Test at Pallekale.

Yusuf was the first captain of Pandya in the Baroda team for the Ranji Trophy. The all rounder, recalled the early days of Pandya said over phone from Vadodara, "Hardik made debut in Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh. I was his captain. I remember that he was not able to shine in that match either with ball or with bat."

Pathan added, "Still I was impressed to have watched his exuberance on and off the field. Interestingly the reflection of his liveliness was seen in his fielding. I still can remember Hardik made a couple of brilliant saves, standing on the fence to frustrate opponent batsmen from earning fours."

But Yusuf became more nostalgic while recalling Hardik's mammoth double century at the under-16 level.

Yusuf further said, "That was probably in 2009. Hardik was playing age group tournament that time. In an important match in BCCI organized under-16 tournament, he scored 228 runs!"

"Despite being the fact that it happened eight years ago, I have not forgotten how Hardik destroyed the bowlers in that innings. Vadodara won against Mumbai on the basis of first innings lead."

"The more interesting part of his batting was that in that innings Hardik was stretching his front foot and lifting over the bowlers with effortless ease and he was only 16 years old that time."

Yusuf concluded, "I realized that Hardik was instinctive from that time and I made prediction among my friends that this boy would go a long way. I am extremely delighted to see that my prediction has been correct today."