India's IPL IV auction heroes Yusuf Pathan, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma keen on performing well in five-match ODI series against South Africa to cement place for the mega tournament

India's T20 superstars ufffd Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh ufffd found new homes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) less than 48 hours before the splendid night here that featured a T20 international between South Africa and India on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma

Sharma was snapped up by Mumbai Indians, Pathan by Kolkata Knight Riders and Yuvraj by Pune Warriors at the players' auction held in Bengaluru over the weekend. "Being drafted back to my hometown Mumbai in the IPL, and following up with a good half-century against South Africa, I couldn't have asked for a better couple of days. I hope to continue this form in one-dayers. It's a good opportunity to cement my place before the World Cup, but I don't want to put pressure on myself. I just want to enjoy my batting at the moment," Sharma told MiD DAY.

Asked how difficult it would be to fit into a new team, Sharma said: "Most franchises have revamped squads, so it doesn't make a difference. Also, I know most of the Mumbai Indians players, so it wouldn't be hard to adjust. I am looking forward to playing with the likes of Tendulkar, Harbhajan and Kieron Pollard and I heard even Andrew Symonds has been picked. It should be an exciting team to play with."

Meanwhile, Pathan said he had received a barrage of phone calls for breaking the $ 2 m barrier on Saturday. "I kept getting phone calls from Baroda, and from other places in India. It is the blessings of God, my friends and loved ones. I can't ask for more. I have been told that Gauti (Gambhir) and Jacques Kallis are also in KKR. It should be exciting to play alongside them," the explosive 28-year old all-rounder said.

"Now, the focus is to do well in the one-dayers against South Africa. Hopefully, I can do that and get picked for the World Cup.

I don't want to think about the IPL just yet. It just feels good that people want to pick you ufffd that is enough motivation for me. But, playing for India is priority now. That's the only thing I am thinking about," added Pathan.

Excited
Yuvraj, who captained Kings XI Punjab in the first two seasons, said he was excited about playing for Pune. "It's time to move on obviously. It was a great experience to play for Punjab for three years, even though our performance was not up to the mark in the last two years, I enjoyed every moment. Now, it is a fresh start. I am very keen."

When asked if he was eying a captaincy role with the side, Yuvraj said: "That's not for me to decide. I am just grateful that Mr Roy (Subrata) and Pune want my services. I want to deliver my best. We also have Robin (Uthappa), Smithy (Graeme Smith) and Ashish (Nehra) in the side, it should be an exciting squad to play with," he added.

The flamboyant southpaw further added that doing well in the forthcoming five one-dayers against South Africa is imperative for his side ahead of next month's World Cup. "Obviously, we need to do well here. We are up against a top-class side in South Africa, and have to be at our best. Personally also, I have not been amongst a lot of runs, so hoping to do well here. I have great memories of South Africa," he concluded.

Rohit Sharma