Leggie Yuzvendra Chahal ready to lead spin attack in Zimbabwe

Royal Challengers Bangalore leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s IPL-9 campaign began on an iffy note — two matches, an economy rate kissing the 11-run mark and then he was dropped from the side.

But then came the turnaround, an uncanny increase in the wickets column — 21 scalps from 13 matches to finish as the second highest wicket-taker behind pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 23 from 17 games. The reward is a trip to Zimbabwe to represent Team India for the first time.

Under skipper M.S. Dhoni, India will play three ODIs and as many T20s from June 11 to June 22.

With spinners such as Jayant Yadav and Axar Patel left as options, it is likely that Dhoni might turn to the 25-year-old to lead the spin contingent considering his impressive performance in the IPL.

Is he ready “Yes. I am just waiting for my chance. It’s the first time that I am going to play under Dhoni. Dhoni is the best captain. He told me that I have to use my feet when I bowl,” said Yuzi, as called by his friends.

Preparations for the Zimbabwe tour will be underway by June 3 and he has his eyes set on the endeavour.

“I am going to New Delhi on Friday and will start practice. I will see videos of matches played in Zimbabwe and accordingly prepare myself,” he said.

Chahal, who earned the India call-up purely due to his IPL show credits the league for improving him as a bowler. He picked up the likes of Brendon McCullum, Andre Russell and Dhoni.

“It’s an international tournament. I get a chance to bowl to legends. When you bowl to these guys and do a good job, you get confidence. I was bowling well from last year,” said Chahal.

RCB skipper Virat Kohli and coach Daniel Vettori too have played a prominent role in Chahal’s career.

“If someone hit me for two to three sixes, Virat told me that it’s fine, you are bowling well. It’s good if someone hits you for a six from a good ball. Vettori always works on my bowling in the nets. Sometimes when you bowl faster, your body falls away, so Vettori would notice that and would say that you have to stand up and bowl,” Chahal pointed out.

“Virat is not the same (in the dressing room) like he’s on the field.

“He’s very calm and always positive. Even on the ground, he’s always positive. For a youngster like me, he’s the best person to have on the field. Sometimes, I feel the pressure but whenever I see him, I get positive vibes,” Chahal heaped praise on Kohli.

As far as the domestic performances go, the stylish cricketer has not been so lucky. His best figures in first-class cricket is 5/241 while in limited-overs cricket, his best figures is 6/22. But he improvised when required.

“I mixed up my variations, varied the pace with my googlies and flippers. I tried it in the IPL and it worked. It will help me in the long run,” he said.