Indian Premier League often served as a platform for youngsters to showcase their talent to the national selectors which in turn helped them to earn a place in the Indian national team.
Yuzvendra Chahal is the latest one who comes under this category, having been one of the best bowlers in the recently concluded IPL in which he helped his team reach finals. To cap his efforts, the selectors have chosen him for the Zimbabwe tour.
Chahal feels that it is a “dream come true moment” and also said that his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore has helped him a lot as a player.
“When I was named, I was very happy and it was like a dream come true moment for me. I still remember I texted Virat Kohli to share the moment. He congratulated me and all he asked me to do was to stay focused whenever I would get a chance to wear Indian colours,” he said as he relived the moment.
“As a player when you go through the rigours of the sport you are playing, representing your country is always your primary goal. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time now. It was my dream to wear the Indian jersey and I am excited to play my first match. I am excited to do well in Zimbabwe.”
Yuzvendra Chahal first played for Mumbai Indians in 2011 and made a name for himself during the Champions League where they have clinched the trophy against RCB in the finals. However, the player has been a revelation for RCB as he finished as the third highest wicket-taker in 2014 and has continued his form as he managed to be 3rd highest and 2nd highest wicket takers in IPL in 2015 and 2016.
“IPL is an outstanding platform for the youngsters to prove themselves against the best in the business. My three years with RCB have been fruitful. I have learnt a lot, especially from RCB coach Daniel Vettori. Bharat Arun sir and Allan Donald to have fed me with a lot of information that will prove handy for me. Then there are the likes of Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli who keep telling you about things that I do well in the nets and could work on. There is a lot of information shared on and off the field that proves handy for a young bowler like me.”
The 25-year old has also credited RCB head coach Daniel Vettori for his success as a bowler over the years.
“When I came to RCB, Vettori started observing even finer aspects of my bowling. He would let me know when my body would slide a bit or my strides during my run-up were bigger, or my follow through was faster. Together we worked on all these aspects. I started running a lot slower, reduced my delivery strides and because of such changes I am bowling much better.
“When you run fast during your run-up you go with a flow. When you are slow, you use a lot of your body with minimal bowling strides. When Vettori observed my run-up he told me that I was running faster during my run-up and I could go a lot slower. During matches, you don’t understand if you are running in the same follow through but Vettori would keep observing me during matches. We would then work on it in the nets,” he added.
Chahal is also excited to play under MS Dhoni as he feels that Dhoni has an unbelievable knowledge of the game which will help the bowlers.
“I am excited to play under MS Dhoni. He reads the game really well and I have observed that he notices a lot about your bowling from behind the wickets. I haven’t played much under his captaincy but I have seen him walking to his bowlers and advising them about what lines and lengths to bowl. I am sure I am going to learn a lot from this Zimbabwe tour and there will be an improvement in my bowling,” Chahal concluded.