This has been a milestone year for Yuzvendra Chahal, one in which the leg-spinner has transitioned from being a fringe prospect to an India mainstay.
His good run started with a six-for haul against England in February — the best-ever T20 international figures by an Indian. On the ODI front, Chahal did not figure in the scheme of things for the Champions Trophy and the West Indies tour, with R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav staying ahead in the slow bowling pecking order.
Chahal got his break, rather unexpectedly, when the side visited Sri Lanka last month. Ashwin and Jadeja were left out, allowing Chahal to step in. Five wickets in four matches did not count as outstanding returns, but it was enough to earn him a spot for this Australia series.
Chahal and Kuldeep have taken 13 wickets between them, leaving the Australian batsmen all tied up. The team management’s faith in the wrist-spin duo has paid off thus far. The Haryana tweaker explained that he never doubted his ability to deliver at the highest level. “I have never bothered about the batsmen I bowl to, be it for my club, State or India. I know my strengths, and I stick to it,” Chahal said here on Wednesday.
It helps that he shares a good rapport with Kuldeep. “I’ve known Kuldeep for a very long time. If I bowl first, I give him information about the pitch. Before the match, we discuss what the pitch will be like and how to bowl,” he said.
The 27-year-old stated that the Indian spinners have the edge over their Australian counterparts. “Our spinners have taken 13 wickets, compared to the three wickets taken by the Australian spinners. We have used the conditions better than them. This is our plus point. Also, they don’t have a wrist-spinner, apart from Adam Zampa” he said.
India will focus on achieving a whitewash, Chahal said. “We want to win the series 5-0. We may be leading 3-0, but we will not relax,” he said.