Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has revealed some interesting insights into his early IPL career with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He also displayed his interactions with Virat Kohli and after-headed coach Daniel Vettori.
In a talk with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his Official YouTube show “DRS with Ash,” When Chahal first joined RCB in 2014, he was very aggressive. He further said he and Vettori used to get upset with the match referee for addressing batters and giving them send-offs.
Chahal said:
“I have known Virat bhaiya since our Under-15 days. We played in Under-15 together for one year… When I joined RCB in 2014, I was a little nervous. He will be standing at covers, fully energetic, as always. I was a youngster and had that aggression in me as well. So in those days, whenever I used to take a wicket, I would charge aggressively towards the batsman. It happened 2-3 times, and the match referee complained to Daniel Vettori.”
Chahal further disclosed that he went a bit outboard once, which prompted Vettori to create an amazing solution. The former New Zealand spinner asked Yuzi to charge towards Kohli at covers alternately of the batters.
The leg-spinner explained:
“In one match, something slipped out of my tongue… I won’t say it here (chuckles). Then Vettori sir came to me, and he said, ‘This is not good. You have the potential [only] if you can change this thing. If you want to charge at someone, then do it towards covers; Virat stands there, say whatever you want to him, he won’t mind!'”
The Curious Case of Yuzi Chahal: the enterprising @yuzi_chahal shares his thoughts about IPL Auctions: which team & price he would like to go for in this open heart fun conversation with @ashwinravi99. Episode out now!
▶️ https://t.co/NUbRdyVRO4 pic.twitter.com/BBTby5eg4N
— Crikipidea (@crikipidea) February 1, 2022
The experience made him understand how contagious Kohli’s energy and positivity are on the field. The 31-year-old then welcomed Kohli for trusting in him, backing his plans and field placements, and giving the belief that youngsters yearn for.
He said:
“From there, I realized that he used to radiate energy with his positivity. And he never tried to change me, in the sense that he never told me ‘Yuzi bowl like this or that.’ We always had two plans, but the first would also be mine. He used to ask me to plan however I wanted to, and it really helps you as a bowler. He used to give me whatever field I would ask for… That really gives you a lot of confidence when it comes from a big player like him who’s also the captain.”
Chahal performs for 8-years (2014-2021) under Kohli’s captaincy at the RCB, appropriate for the top wicket-taker for the franchise with 139 scalps. RCB didn’t get any trophies in this phase, but Kohli and Yuzi became almost synonymous with the team following their stable performances.
“Yuzi, chill. Even if you get hit for six sixes, it’s not a big thing,” – Chahal said
Toh batao kiska wicket lu bhaiya🤙🏻
The journey from understanding each other to having faith in each other is definitely something I will cherish forever.
Many more games to conquer ahead with the same gist & high performance.
Here’s to your successful 7 years skipper 👏🏻 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ErGg9n0cjk— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) January 18, 2022
Remembering another example of Kohli’s helpful leadership, Chahal said Kohli gave him a free pass to be aggressive in his initial season itself.
He recalled how he got hit for 3-consecutive sixes by Suresh Raina, but Kohli’s advice to “chill” and “bowl your best balls” supported him dismissing both Raina and MS Dhoni.
He added:
“I was playing a match against Chennai in my first season. And Raina bhaiya hit me for three consecutive sixes, which didn’t happen to me before that. Virat bhaiya came from long-on and said, ‘Yuzi, chill. Even if you get hit for six sixes, it’s no big deal but keeps bowling your best balls, don’t try to be defensive.’ And then I got Raina bhaiya out on the fourth ball before dismissing Mahi Bhai in the next over.”
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