India’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal believes bowling at the right pace was imperative in the first ODI against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, which the home side convincingly won by six wickets.
Chahal was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he scalped four wickets and conceded 49 runs in 9.5 overs he bowled.
Chahal revealed that after noticing Washington Sundar savor success in his opening spell, he decided to bowl a bit quicker. The veteran spinner also had a chat with captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and both of them suggested the same to him.
Chahal also reached the milestone of 100 ODI wickets while playing his 60th ODI after he accounted for Nicholas Pooran and became the 23rd Indian bowler to do so. The leg-spinner became the second-fastest Indian spinner to get to the landmark after Kuldeep Yadav.
Overall, Chahal became the fifth fastest Indian bowler to reach the coveted feat. Mohammed Shami (56), Jasprit Bumrah (57), Kuldeep Yadav (58), Irfan Pathan (59) are the first four fastest to the record.
Yuzvendra Chahal was awarded the Player of the Match award for his fine performance as he was instrumental in skittling out the opposition at 176 runs.
Yuzvendra Chahal said in the post-match presentation, “Felt good. Washi struck twice in an over so we knew the pressure was on them. My job was to sustain that pressure. Got the feeling watching Washi bowl that the ball was gripping. Had a chat with Rohit, Virat, they said the pace is important. My thought was that if it’s turning at pace, keep doing it. Threw in a slower one here and there as a variation. I looked back at the footage from the South Africa series to see where I can improve”.
Chahal could only take two wickets in three ODIs in the series against South Africa and this performance against West Indies would have certainly added a shot in his arm. The leg-spinner was able to hit the right areas and he was able to reap rewards for his good show.
Chahal will aim to continue his good form in the rest of the series against the Windies. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.
