Virender Sehwag is my inspiration

Virender Sehwag is my inspiration: Yusuf Pathan


Two scintillating knocks in South Africa against a versatile pace attack have enhanced Yusuf Pathan's reputation as a destroyer.

His 70-ball 105 against South Africa at Centurion on Sunday chipped away at the hosts' ODI series-winning joy. When Pathan landed in Mumbai late last evening, he was reluctant to talk about himself or the Centurion innings, but spoke to MiD DAY about who he gets his inspiration from.

"The obvious answer to that is Sachin Tendulkar, but the daredevil approach has come from Virender Sehwag," said Pathan.

Sehwag was not part of the ODI team in South Africa due to an injured shoulder. Reportedly, the dasher from Delhi visited Germany to get his shoulder treated. "I was always inspired by the way Viru kept backing his own game despite people talking about the so-called shortcomings in his batting," added Pathan.

The Vadodara man was quick to remember his mentor -- late Bashir Shaikh in his hour of glory. "He would have been very happy to see me playing in the World Cup," he said.