Hyderabad, Sep 15: Batsman Yusuf Pathan is trying hard to make a comeback.
"There is no pressure on me. I have been doing well. I have confidence in my abilities and the team (read Kolkata Knight Riders) has confidence in me. I'm stroking the ball well and am sure that I will contribute for the team's cause," the 29-year-old batsman told Times of India on Wednesday.
After earning back his India cap last year, Yusuf hit peak form when he helped India chase 316 with a blistering century (123 n.o.) against New Zealand.
This form helped him in the IPL auctions earlier this year as he was snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a bumper Rs 9.66 crore.
Yusuf's woes began with the World Cup as he was unable to do much and his bad form haunted him right through the West Indies tour.
The Champions League qualifiers give Yusuf another opportunity to regain his place in the Indian team.
"I'm keen to perform in the new season. After a long time, we are getting to play in the tournament. I will try to give my best," Yusuf, who struck a half-century in a practice game against a Hyderabad XI on Tuesday, said.
"It is a long season ahead of me. I need to make a good start in this Twenty20 tournament. We have to qualify and I will make every effort to put in a good performance," Yusuf said.
Yusuf said he is working hard on making a comeback to the Indian team. "Insha Allah! I will be making a comeback soon. Irfan (Pathan) will also comeback, he is working hard on his game."
On the competition in the tournament, he said: "All the teams are good and they have come here to win. We did well in IPL 4 but unfortunately we could not reach the top three. We will try to make amends in the Champions League."
Yusuf's double century in the 2010 Duleep Trophy final came at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and he is quite happy that the qualifying matches will be played on the same ground.
"Hyderabad is a happy hunting ground for me. The wicket is very good. I have done well here in the past and hope to continue to do so," said Pathan.
