Just like his fiery performance on the field, Yuzvendra Chahal loves speaking his mind. Perhaps that’s why, on Wednesday, ahead of the fourth One-Day International (ODI) in Bengaluru, the spinner made it clear that even though India had won the series, it will not rest on its laurels.
“We are gunning for a 5-0 whitewash,” Chahal said, making it evident that his side will leave no stone unturned to maintain its winning run in the fourth ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Excerpts…
Now that India has sealed the series, could there be any changes in the side on Thursday?
I am not aware of any changes. That decision is normally taken on the day of the match. Although we have won the series, we are gunning for a 5-0 whitewash. We may be leading 3-0, we will not take it easy, because our ultimate target is a whitewash.
How has India maintained an edge over Australia in the series?
Well, our spinners have taken 13 wickets as compared to the Australian spinners. We have used the conditions much better than them. That is our plus point. Adam Zampa is the only wrist spinner in the team and he is not featuring in the team consistently.
Has equal contribution by the bowlers and batsmen been helpful?
If batsmen put up a good total on the board, then it gives the bowlers more confidence to bowl well. In the middle overs, we have bowled pretty well, be it in the Sri Lanka series or in this series. In the last series, the team was not that strong. In the Australia series, we are taking wickets at the start, in the middle and even in the death overs. In the last game, they were 234 for 2 after 38 overs. From that position, they were restricted to 293. It was a great exhibition by the medium pacers at the death. Whatever spell the spinners are getting towards the end overs, we are getting wickets.
ALSO READ | Yuzvendra Chahal Press meet.mp3
How could you develop such a strong chemistry with Kuldeep Yadav?
I know him for a very long time. We have played with each other a lot. If I bowl first, then I tell him that the wicket is providing this kind of assistance. If he bowls first, then he tells me that the wicket is offering turn and that this is the right area to bowl to a certain batsmen. The combination is good. Before the match, we discuss how the wickets will behave. We also discuss what ball to bowl to which batsmen. We always have plans.
Bengaluru has always been a happy hunting ground for you…
The wicket at the M Chinnaswamy stadium has changed in the last couple of years. The wicket now is offering more turn to the spinners. It is a bit slow and there is grip, which was not there earlier. The boundaries here are small but if there is assistance in the wicket, you can get the wickets.
With the ICC bringing in rule changes on bat sizes, has anyone from Indian team changed his bat?
No. I am not aware of any player in the Indian team changing the size of the bat.
With David Warner playing his 100th ODI , how would you plan to stop him?
He (Warner) is Australia’s key player. When he settles in, he can play the big knock. Although Aaron Finch scored a century in Indore, Warner is the most dangerous player. He has experience playing in the IPL and his mindset is to attack. If he plays 40-50 balls, he can score 70-80 runs. Our main aim is to get Warner out quickly so that in the middle overs, we can maintain the pressure.
Personally, what has worked for you?
Whenever I play for India, I give my best. I do not look at the name of the batsman to bowl [to]. I bowl according to my strengths, be it for India, domestic or in the IPL. Although the ground is small, I have taken wickets and have had good performances at this venue.
How have you made Glenn Maxwell your bunny in this series?
My plan to Maxwell is not to bowl at the stumps. That is his wrong area. I tend to bowl outside the off stump and I vary my pace. I know that if I can bowl 2-3 dot balls, he will step out and try to play an aggressive shot. However, in order to beat the batsman, the line and length has to be perfect. I always maintain that.
Comments
SHARE