'You will see a more confident Yuzi' - Yuzvendra Chahal hints strong comeback on Sri Lanka tour

Leading into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the partnership between India’s two leg-spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav was expected to be one of the key factors. However, by the end of the tournament, one of them started warming the benches while the other found it difficult to perform. Since that tournament, neither of the players has found a lot of success. 

Their failure to play a huge role in the team’s success led to even a dip in the contract for both of them. The two players shifted to the C category, demoted from B (Chahal) and A (Kuldeep). Two spinners are currently in Sri Lanka, where they are with the white-ball squad. Ahead of the series, Chahal spoke to the media and addressed his dip in the form being an issue. 

Chahal said that he doesn’t really think there is a dip in form. “My performance – I don’t think it was a dip [in form] or anything. You can’t perform in every match. I will try my level best. This series is very important to me,” Chahal said and was quoted by ESPNCricinfo. Since 2019, he averages 37 and has been bowling with an economy of 6.45. However, it is worth noting that he has played only five matches since the World Cup. 

I have a couple of variations and I’m focusing on that only: Yuzvendra Chahal

He missed out on selection in the three-match ODI series against England at home, and his last ODI match was in Sydney in November 2020. The Haryana leggie further went on to reveal that he has been having regular chats with the bowling coach. The management has given him confidence and that is why he has found a place in the side. He assured that he is just focusing on this tour at the moment and will focus on it until it is over. 

Talking about the preparations and adjusting to the heat, Chahal noted that playing a 50 overs match in Sri Lanka is a difficult experience because of the heat.  “I’m playing an ODI series after so long, but we’ve already played here – two practice matches. [We’ve been practicing] early in the morning so that we get used to the heat. It’ll be totally different compared to 20 overs where we’re on the ground for three, three-and-a-half hours,” Chahal said. 

Chahal concluded by saying that fans will see a much more confident version of him during this series. “I’ve a couple of variations and I’m focusing on that only, not using other deliveries. You will see a more confident Yuzi in this series. I’m just working on my angles and in general, trying to bowl more,” Chahal said.