Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal seems to be least bothered about the batting experiments conducted by Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing season.
Speaking ahead of the Royal Challengers Bangalore versus Kolkata Knight Rider fixture, Chahal in a short, candid interview, states that there are no special plans for the KKR batting order.
KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir has stuck with Sunil Narine as an opener in the past few matches. The decision, which raised eyebrows, has been somewhat successful and is one of the talking points ahead of the crucial fixture.
Chahal, however, made it clear that Narine will be treated as a proper batsman and not just any pinch hitter.
“For me, whoever is batting, I never bother much. I always back my strength. If I’m bowling to him, I will consider himself as a proper batsman, not like a tail-ender, the leg-spinner said ahead of KKR v RCB.”
The track at the Eden gardens has also changed and isn’t the same turner that it used to be in the past. The pitch has flattened out which acts more in favour of the batsmen. The challenge will be tough for Chahal but he looks prepared for it.
“I don’t like bowling on turning wickets because, on turning wickets, most balls would just beat the batsmen. On flat wickets, you can plan — when to bowl sliders when to bowl googly. For me, I just like little bit pace in the wicket.” Yuzi said with gusto.
Chahal is enjoying the relief of working with less burden on his shoulders. In the past couple of seasons, the entire spin responsibility was on him.
However, with the arrival of Samuel Badree and Pawan Negi, he has had the opportunity to play with more freedom.
“It will help RCB a lot because he bowls in the power play and I can bowl in the middle. A guy like (Pawan) Negi can bowl in the 13th to 15th overs phase. Last year I was the only one bowling in the Power Play and the middle overs. Now we have two spinners who can bowl in the Power Play.”
RCB, at the moment, are in dire need of victories, as they find themselves on the verge of an early elimination after a poor start to the tournament. Skipper Kohli will expect his star bowler – Yuzvendra – to produce a match winning performance.