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Yuzvendra Chahal revealed that he was a fast bowler during his school days, but switched to leg spin after advice from his father, who was a university level cricketer. The cricketer’s father bluntly told him that with his build he would not succeed as a fast bowler.
Chahal is considered as one of India’s best spinners in white-ball cricket. Having made his international debut in 2016, he has represented the Men in Blue in 72 ODIs and 75 T20Is, claiming 121 and 91 wickets, respectively.
In an interview on Ranvirullah Badia’s YouTube channel, the cricketer revealed how he transitioned from being a fast bowler to a footballer and his father’s role in the same.
Shahal said:
“Earlier, I was a fast bowler in school. I talk about it when I was 6-7 years old. My dad used to play in the university. In fact, he was even a fast bowler for five years. I was a fast bowler, but my dad told me, “Do build k sath to nahi hoga” (You can’t become one with this build). After that, I started spin bowling.”
Elaborating on changing his bowling style, the 32-year-old added that leg spin came fairly naturally.
“It’s not like I saw someone, it just happened automatically. I started bowling at the age of eight. When I was 10, I played under-14s for the first time for Haryana. From there, I started professional cricket. It’s been 23 years until now “.
Apart from playing for India, Chahal is also the leading wicket-taker in the IPL. In 145 matches, he took 187 wickets at an average of 21.69.
“Mahi bhai told me to do it once” – Chahal on bowling in an international match
During the interaction, Chahal also revealed that he had bowled in a match against Sri Lanka at the behest of MS Dhoni since he was a left batting bowler. However, he added, the experience was short-lived.
Team India stated:
“I’ve played out and about as well in international cricket. Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni) told me to do that once. In 2017, we were playing in Sri Lanka and he was a left hand batting. He asked if I could do without spinning in between. I replied that I didn’t. I even throw it into the net. He keeps telling me to try it. I throw a few deliveries and then say let’s be.”
Explaining why he no longer bowls outside the game, Chahal added:
“Bowling out suddenly in international cricket isn’t easy. The body gets tight because you’re thinking too much and you’re under pressure. That short ball happens because of this.”
Chahal will feature in the next match during the white-ball leg in India West Indies tour, which begins with the first ODI on 27 July.
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