Kolkata: Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling spearhead Yuzvendra Chahal on Saturday said he is enjoying bigger responsibility after a “life-changing” six-wicket haul against England in a T20 International earlier in 2017.
“My life has totally changed since the six-wicket haul.
More responsibility on my shoulders, you can even say more pressure. Now I need to do more as compared to last year,” Chahal said in the pre-match press conference ahead of their crucial IPL encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders.
The nature of the wicket at Eden Gardens has changed a lot and the leg-spinner said he always enjoys bowling on a flat track.
“I don’t like bowling on turning wickets because on turning wickets, most balls would just beat the batsmen. On flat wickets you can plan — when to bowl sliders, when to bowl googly. For me, I just like little bit pace in the wicket.”
Asked about the success of wrist spinners in IPL, he said, “Compared to other spinners, the wrist spinners are totally different.”
With hat-trick man Samuel Badree in the side, RCB spin attack has improved, he said.
“It will help RCB a lot because he bowl in the Power Play and I can bowl in the middle. A guy like (Pawan) Negi can bowl in the 13th to 15th overs phase. Last year I was the only one bowling in the Power Play and the middle overs. Now we have two spinners who can bowl in the Power Play.”
KKR’s ploy of opening with Sunil Narine in absence of Chris Lynn has given them mixed results and Chahal said it does not bother him.
“For me, whoever is batting, I never bother much. I always back my strength. Everyone knows he opened in the Big Bash League. If I’m bowling to him, I will consider himself as a proper batsman not like a tail-ender.”
On their pace attack in the absence of Mitchell Starc, he said: “Starc performed so well for us. We have Billy (Stanlake), (Tymal) Mills and Adam (Milne). We have three fast bowlers who can bowl 150 kmph. When someone bowls 150 kmph, it leaves the batsmen guessing. Now you can say we have bowling strength.”
Asked about a good total at Eden, he said: “Sometimes 160 -170 is okay. But the outfield is fast in Kolkata. Rain came last night so dew is there. 180-190 is a good total.