Thursday was the first and perhaps the only time that all four of the two sets of brothers in this year’s IPL — the Morkels and Pathans — took the ground at the same venue.

Albie Morkel turned out for Chennai Super Kings, while younger brother Morne made his debut for Rajasthan Royals. Yusuf Pathan also donned the Royals blue and Irfan was part of the Kings XI Punjab team in the second game of the day.

The Pathan family is in South Africa to watch the brothers in action and Irfan knows exactly how his family’s loyalties are divided. “I am sure my father will support me but I guess my mom and sister will root for Yusuf,” he says. “It’s a great contest between us. If he hits me for a six, be sure that my next ball will be a bouncer,” he says. But rivalry apart, Irfan is happy that his big brother has revelled in his role as a big-hitter for Team India. “He’s a natural hitter and I am happy for Yusuf’s success,” he says.

The Morkel brothers became the first bother duo to be named as cricketers of the year for South Africa last year and have big roles in South Africa’s quick-bowling force. But though the two look forward to playing against each other, their family doesn’t quite relish the rivalry. “Our mom gets really nervous. She always tells us that she just want us playing together, not against each other,” says Morne.

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