Rahul Dravid said...: Yuzvendra Chahal reveals how Indian head coach helped him excel in new role vs WI

Yuzendra Chahal played a key role in helping Team India win the 1st ODI vs West Indies by three runs at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain. Chahal was asked to take a new role for the Men in Blue and bowled in the death overs during the series opener.
Chahal Dravid IANS AP

Yuzvendra Chahal credited Rahul Dravid for his impressive perfrormance |courtesy-IANS/AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Yuzvendra Chahal credited Rahul Dravid for his impressive performance
  • Chahal took a new role of bowling in the death overs
  • Chahal took two wickets in the series opener vs West Indies
Over the last 5 years, Yuzvendra Chahal has established himself among the finest white-ball spinners in Indian cricket by being a consistent wicket-taker in the middle-overs. The right-arm leg-spinner has excelled in the phase of play in both ODI and T20I cricket where wicket-taking is generally considered tough.
However, in the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series between India and West Indies at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Chahal was given a new role by stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan and team management. In the absence of senior bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Shami; Chahal was handed the rough role of bowling in the slog overs.
Despite the final overs of the game being an area where spinners generally do not bowl, Chahal impressed and helped India seal a three-run win. The 32-year-old took two wickets and conceded just 58 runs in 10 overs despite West Indies closing in on the target. In the post-match press conference, Chahal credited the trust from head Rahul Dravid for his performance.
"The coach always backs me. He tells me 'Yuzi just back your strengths, we trust you'" said Chahal. "I always back my strengths, I knew that the ball had become old and the ball can turn and beat the batters. So I was changing my line, bowling wider because the leg side boundary was a bit small so I thought if he hits me over cover it would be better," he added.
Chahal also credited his performances for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) for giving him confidence about being able to bowl in the death overs. "This change has come from the IPL, because there I was bowling the 16th, 17th and 18th over, so I got the confidence from there. My role was clear, I was told to bowl two-three overs after the 40th over. So I practice accordingly and also plan with our bowling coach," said Chahal.
The second ODI of the series will be played on Sunday (July 24) at the same venue. Chahal has been rested from the five-match T20I series which will follow the 50-over contest.
End of Article