Mumbai, Feb 7:Fiery batsman Yusuf Pathan believes that the pressure of being one of the favourites and playing in front of home crowds won't affect Team India’s performance at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
"We are playing at home so it is natural that people will expect us do well. But you don't go into tournaments like World Cup thinking about pressure," Yusuf said.
"We have prepared well and our recent form has been excellent. So we are hopeful of carrying on the good work in the World Cup."
Acknowledging the benefits of Gary Kirsten tenure as Team India coach, Yusuf admitted that the South African had helped him mature as a player.
"I have been lucky to have got guidance from someone like Kirsten. He is someone who will always have time for one-on-one sessions with players."
"Even after my regular net session, he is ready to give me extra practice. His process of coaching and the manner in which he is able to rectify technical flaws is amazing. Under him I have improved a lot as a player."
Talking about his explosive form, Pathan said, "I am happy to contribute to the team's cause. I have been assigned a specific role and I try to perform that to the best of my abilities."
Meanwhile, former India cricket Roger Binny said that opener Virender Sehwag and all-rounder Yusuf Pathan would be the trump cards for Team India in the forthcoming World Cup.
"We have a balanced side and the home conditions and advantage would also suit us. But I feel that swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag and Yusuf Pathan might be the trump cards for Team India," Binny said.
