Don't Think It Was A Dip In Form, You Can't Perform In Every Match - Yuzvendra Chahal Gears Up For A "Very Important" Sri Lanka Tour

Yuzvendra Chahal says that there hasn’t been any significant dip in his form post the 2019 World Cup that people have been talking about. However, he reckons the upcoming matches against Sri Lanka – 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is – are “very important” for him.

Yuzvendra Chahal, along with Kuldeep Yadav, was a key member of India‘s white-ball setup in their lead-up to the 2019 World Cup. However, the pair was broken during the tournament and haven’t reunited since for a variety of reasons, from their own returns and the combination requirements. Both of them were also demoted to Grade C in BCCI’s annual contracts list.

Since the end of the 2019 World Cup, Yuzvendra Chahal averages 37.12 in ODIs and has gone at an economy rate of 6.45. He was benched for the 3 ODI matches against England at home earlier in the year, and now doesn’t have an assured place in the eleven.

The leg-spinner says that he has had conversations with the bowling coach and the management and has been given confidence by them.

“My performance, I don’t think it was a dip (in form) or anything. You can’t perform in every match. I will try my level best. This series is very important to me,” Yuzvendra Chahal told ESPNcricinfo.

“I keep having conversations with the bowling coach. They (management) have given us confidence, and that’s why I’m here (in Sri Lanka). If it wasn’t there, no one in the team (would be here). My main focus at the moment is just this series — there’s been lesser cricket over the last year, but that’s not in our hands.

“Whatever series happens, we want to perform. After this series, my focus will be on the IPL, and only then the (T20) World Cup. Right now, I’m focusing on this tour only,” he added.

You will see a more confident Yuzi in this series: Yuzvendra Chahal

After being dropped from the ODI side against England, Yuzvendra Chahal endured a disappointing IPL 2021 first half for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, picking up 4 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 47.50.

The 30-year-old adds that he has been working on his variations, and the fans will “see a more confident Yuzi” against Sri Lanka.

“I’m playing an ODI series after so long, but we’ve already played here — two practice matches. (We’ve been practicing) early in the morning so that we get used to the heat. It’ll be totally different compared to 20 overs where we’re on the ground for three, three-and-a-half hours.

“I’ve a couple of variations and I’m focusing on that only, not using other deliveries. You will see a more confident Yuzi in this series. I’m just working on my angles and in general trying to bowl more,” he further added.

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