India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Yuzvendra Chahal for his control. Chahal scalped two wickets in the second T20I and conceded 26 runs in his quota of four overs. The leg-spinner accounted for a dangerous Glenn Phillips and James Neesham.
In fact, the conditions were difficult as the ball was wet but Chahal was able to bowl in the right areas to reap his rewards. India went on to win the second game by a huge margin of 65 runs and Chahal played a key role in skittling out the opposition at 126 runs when they were chasing a big target of 192 runs.
Meanwhile, Chahal was not given his chance in the T20 World Cup as Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel were played ahead of him. However, the leg-spinner made an impressive return to action against the Kiwis.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “He didn’t get a chance throughout the World Cup, which was very unfortunate, but he came back. Even with a wet ball, he bowled beautifully. Even with a wet ball, he bowled beautifully.”
He added: “A notable thing was when Glenn Phillips swept him when he bowled one onto his pads, but despite the wet ball, he slowed it up the very next delivery. Phillips got clean bowled.”
However, Chahal didn’t have a great outing in the third game as he conceded 35 runs in the three overs he bowled and went wicketless.
On the other hand, Deepak Hooda also delivered with the ball in the second game as he scalped four wickets and conceded only 10 runs in the 2.5 overs he bowled. Ashwin lauded Hooda for his game awareness and for doing a fine job for the skipper.
“Extraordinary game awareness by a man who shows extraordinary batsmanship. Deepak Hooda knew what the batsman would expect and bowled the exact opposite. This 4-wicket spell of Deepak Hooda. Let alone the wickets.”
“The control he showed with his different variety and the way he could go in and out is a very big positive for India. A top-order batsman who can give you four overs is a big advantage for any captain.”
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday.
