Pathan Brothers Stir Excitement in Behrampore: Irfan Joins Yusuf's Trinamool Campaign

Thousands Gather to Witness the Reunion of Cricket Stars Turned Political Figures

May 10, 2024 - 12:08
Pathan Brothers Stir Excitement in Behrampore: Irfan Joins Yusuf's Trinamool Campaign
Former Team India cricketer Irfan Pathan signs an autograph on a bat during a road show in Behrampore on Thursday

On Thursday, thousands of people waited in line for hours to see former Team India cricket player Irfan Pathan, who was in the area for a short visit with his older brother, Trinamool Congress candidate Yusuf Pathan.

The daring Pathan brothers of Vadodara, who played as all-rounders for the Indian cricket team during the first two decades of the twenty-first century, participated in a five-kilometer road show for Trinamool that ran between Kazisha in Rejinagar and Beldanga's Barua crossing.


Thousands of people, regardless of their political inclinations, gathered along the road for an hour starting at 2.30 p.m., holding bats for the younger brother to sign and cutouts of both brothers wearing India jerseys. The younger Pathan (Yusuf, 41, and Irfan, 39) signed at least 25 bats before the Kazisha demonstration. The mob snapped countless selfies with the brothers in the background.

"I am glad we got to meet today because it's been a while," Irfan, who played for the Indian sides that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, said. Apart from the team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup, Yusuf was also a member of the latter.

"Out of the two of us, I was selected for the national team first. He'd take care of everything at home while I was away on national duty. "Bhai is the type who works harder and speaks less," Irfan continued. Irfan finished with 301 wickets and 2,821 runs in international cricket. Despite his 1,046 international runs and 46 wickets, Yusuf spent years as an IPL standout for the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders.

In the Lok Sabha election, Mamata Banerjee unexpectedly selected the elder Pathan to face off against Congress stalwart Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who hasn't lost a general election in a quarter of a century.

"I think Bhai will also carry out all of his duties here. Please take care of him. Irfan remarked, "This is the Pathans' promise—he will take care of your responsibilities."

Apurba "David" Sarkar, a four-term Kandi MLA for Trinamool who was Chowdhury's most dependable deputy until his 2018 defection to Mamata's party, is mostly in charge of Yusuf's campaign. According to sources close to Trinamool, Yusuf's religious convictions as a Muslim in a constituency where minorities account for 60% of the voter base give the party hope for him.

Irfan, an analyst and pundit for the current Indian Premier League, arrived in a chopper with Partha Bhowmick, the minister of irrigation, at 1:00 pm. Yusuf welcomed him at the helipad, and they gave each other a heartfelt hug.

Irfan told reporters he was thrilled to finally meet Yusuf before heading to their hotel for lunch. The siblings had been apart for some time due to IPL obligations on one side and the other's political campaign on the other.

It feels great to be here, and I know how much love everyone has been giving Bhai. I have been keeping a careful eye on his media campaign. Irfan stated, "I think he'll prevail and work for the people.

When asked if he too wanted to go into politics, Irfan answered bluntly. He responded, "No, I don't see that happening."

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

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