Gulf News

Sundar to give us more bowling options: Chahal

Royal Challenger­s’ lead spinner not fussed about short boundaries at home turf

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Washington Sundar’s presence in the Royal Challenger­s Bangalore fold will give skipper Vi rat K oh li more options during powerplay andmiddle overs, feels star legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

Washington- Chahal forged a lethal combinatio­n during India’s Nidahas T20 Tri- Series triumph in Sri Lanka last month.

“In Sri Lanka, Washington bowled in the powerplay overs and Iwas bowling in the middle overs. In previous IPL seasons, I used to bowl in the powerplays andwas left onlywith twoovers [ during later stages]. Now we have options. One can bowl in power play and can chip more in middle overs,” Chahal said at a media conference.

Wrist spinners are doing well but are always under the pump with a chance of going for a lot of runs at times. But the wiry leg- break bowler believes that a comeback is possible if one has a big heart.

“In this format, you are sure to get hit. For instance, in Nidahas Trophy, I was hit by Sri Lankans for 27 runs in two overs. I just told myself, you need to forget the past and make a strong comeback to pick wickets after being smashed,” he said.

Baptism by fire

Bowling at the Chinnaswam­y is baptism by fire and that has made him a more fearless competitor. “When you play for India, you get more confidence

because of bowling at Chinnaswam­y. A spinner is always worried about short boundaries, but having bowled here, I don’t fear bowling anywhere,” he said.

The extremely short side boundaries of Chinnaswam­y tests the mettle of best of slow

bowlers. “I have been a successful bowler at the Chinnaswam­y for the past four years despite its short boundaries.”

Chahal assessed that Chinnaswam­y pitch this time is flatter compared to last season. “Compared to last year, the

strips at the Chinnaswam­y are different. It looks much better. One can expect a couple of 200- plus totals. In fact, I prefer flat wickets, for it gives our batsmen a chance to post big totals,” he said.

In this format, you are sure to get hit... you need to forget the past andmake a strong comeback to pick wicketsaft­er being smashed.” Yuzvendra Chahal » Royal Challenger­s’ spinner

 ?? PTI ?? Royal Challenger­s Bangalore players Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Sarfaraz Khan and others during a practice session at Chinnaswam­y Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
PTI Royal Challenger­s Bangalore players Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Sarfaraz Khan and others during a practice session at Chinnaswam­y Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

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