Yuzvendra Chahal, the star Indian leg-spinner and birthday boy seems to be relishing his new challenge of bowling a few overs at the death. It is a far cry from his earlier days when the 32-year-old used to complete his quota in the middle overs. He has now credited the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for encouraging him about bowling at the death.
In the IPL 2022 season, Yuzvendra Chahal ended up winning the Purple Cap after picking up 27 wickets, out of which seven came at the death. Even in the first ODI against the West Indies at the Port of Spain on July 22, the leg-spinner picked up the big wicket of a set Brandon King at the backend (45th over). He bowled the 43rd, 45th, and 47th over of the Windies innings. He also picked Rovman Powell’s scalp in the 37th over.
Yuzvendra Chahal Was Confident Of Bowling In Death Overs Crediting IPL Franchise Rajasthan Royals
Yuzvendra Chahal has picked 113 wickets in 65 ODIs at an average of 26.8 and an economy rate of 5.19. His 15 dismissals have come against West Indies with best figures of 4/49. He picked 2/58 in the 1st ODI against hosts West Indies bowling a full quota of 10 overs.
Yuzvendra Chahal has been showcasing consistent performances ever since his Purple Cup-winning brilliance for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2022. The wrist-spinner picked 7 scalps in the England ODIs and finished as the 3rd highest wicket-taker after England pacer Reece Topley (9 scalps) and Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah (8 scalps).
Speaking to reporters in a video posted by Sports Today after India’s thrilling win, here’s what Yuzvendra Chahal had to say about his new role: “I was confident (of bowling in death) from there (Rajasthan Royals). They have given me a role where I need to bowl 2-3 overs after the 40-over mark.”
Yuzvendra Chahal, with 27 scalps, finished as the highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2022. He pipped fellow leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to the Purple Cap by dismissing Hardik Pandya in the final.
The leg-spinner was picked for Rs. 6.5 crores by Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2022 auction. The leg spinner was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore last season. He scalped 18 wickets in 15 games in IPL 2021. In IPL 2022, he has picked 27 scalps in only 17 games averaging only 19.52 which came at an economy rate of only 7.75.
Yuzvendra Chahal Thinks Skipper Shikhar Dhawan Is Cool And Shares A Geat Bond With Teammates
Although Shikhar Dhawan is one of the most senior members of the Indian ODI team, he has always been described as friendly and approachable by his team members. Yuzvendra Chahal too feels that the 36-year-old’s happy-go-lucky attitude has helped him form a great bond with all the players.
On this, the leg-spinner stated: “I think he (Dhawan) is a cool guy. He is bonding with everyone and is like a brother. We don’t just talk about our plans, we also have fun on and off the field.”
Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t a part of India’s 2021 T20I World Cup squad last year and there were some doubts about his consistency in games apart from the IPL. But he has proven once again in the past few games what an asset he is to the Indian team.
Shikhar Dhawan top scored in the 1st ODI against hosts West Indies. His 97 of 99 balls consisted of 10 fours and 3 sixes. He will be disappointed after missing out on a century but will look to carry on in the same vein in the next 2 ODIs against the same opposition.