CLT20: Yusuf Pathan, 3 others return from KKR camp in SA under Adrian Le Roux

New Delhi In their quest to be battleready for the upcoming Champions League Twenty20 Kolkata Knight Riders sent four of their players Yusuf Pathan Piyush Chawla Manvinder Bisla and Kuldeep Yadav to Bloemfontein in South Africa for 15 days of training that included cycling running and mountaineeringYusuf PathanLooking to carry on the momentum from the Indian Premier League triumph KKR batsman Yusuf said the camp between August 20 and September 3 in the rainbow nation under renowned trainer Adrian Le Roux has helped them immensely to be in top shape during the off seasonWe trained hard during those 15 days We used to go for outdoor cycling and mountaineering and for long treks The gym sessions were also very good So it was a complete fitness and endurance routine that helped us remain in great shape during our off season said Yusuf in an interview with PTIIt was good fun as well We had a great time together All of us gelled well and made use of the opportunity Though Piyush Bisla and Kuldeep came back after 12 days I stayed on for 3 more days to complete a satisfying camp added YusufYusuf who last played a T20 for India against South Africa in March 2012 finished off a great season for the Gautam Gambhirled KKR The hardhitting Baroda bomber smashed the fastest IPL fifty in just 15 balls to help the Shah Rukh Khanowned unit stay second in the league stage and finally clinch its second titleWe also had proper training in the indoor nets with the local players of Knights club helping us with our drills We batted bowled and special emphasis was laid on the fielding department It was a totally different culture there and we learnt different thingsInshallah everybody will see an improved Yusuf Pathan We left on a good note in IPL this season and I wish to pick up from there when we take field in CLT20 said YusufInitiated by KKR CEO Venky Mysore the camp gave a nice opportunity for the four players to get a feel of world class training before the CLT20 and if Yusuf and Piyush honed their skills then Bisla and Yadav who is a slow leftarm Chinaman bowler from Uttar Pradesh got muchneeded international exposureIt was Venky Mysores idea to keep the camp in the off season to provide the ultimate opportunity to these KKR players It was certainly a great exposure for the players as it provided a perfect getaway to train in South Africa KKR Team Director Joy Bhattacharya told PTIIt was a nice offseason exercise for the players It will certainly add to their resume and to train under top facilities in Bloemfontein under world class trainers like Adrian Le Roux is a great opportunity And I am sure all these four players will benefit from this outing he addedWhile Yusuf is hoping for a return to the national team soon legspinner Piyush is also looking for an opportunity to sneak into the team before the 2015 World CupYusuf 31 has represented India in 57 ODIs and played 22 T20s for the Men in Blue before falling out of favour after a slump in form He was also a part of the World Cupwinning squad in 2011Chawla who has had a start and stop career since he made his Test debut in 2006 will also be banking on a good CLT20 showing to make a return to the national foldMeanwhile Bisla and Kuldeep are still waiting to be capped as the duo try and make their mark in tournaments like the IPL and the CLT20Wicketkeeperbatsman Bisla 27 who is a veteran of 49 firstclass matches has represented Deccan Chargers Kings XI Punjab and now KKR in IPL Kanpurborn Yadav though is a lesserknown slow leftarm Chinaman is eager to make his presence felt in any KKR play their opening game against Chennai Super Kings on September17 at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Uppal HyderabadWith captain Gambhir not doing well in the England series KKR will surely to looking to start from where they left in this years IPL