Yuzvendra Chahal all Set to Bamboozle Batsmen with ‘Two Variations of Googly’

Ahead of the tough UK tour, India’s leg-spin sensation, Yuzvendra Chahal says he has developed two variations of googly, which will benefit him in the more extended run.

Chahal has not looked back since being recalled into the national team during the tour of Sri Lanka last year. He and Kuldeep Yadav have done exceedingly well in the limited-overs. As a result, the experienced duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have fallen down the pecking order.

Along with Kuldeep, Chahal blew away Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home. After that, the leggie made a huge mark in South Africa.

He was the second leading wicket-taker in the ODIs. While Kuldeep picked up 17 wickets, Chahal ended with 16, as India beat the hosts 5-1 to win a historic series.

The road ahead, however, is only going to get tougher. As India is gearing up to take on Ireland and England in the coming days, Chahal would have to prove his mettle on unfriendly pitches. And the leggie has already boosted his arsenal for the challenge ahead.

“I have two googlies — one closer to the head and one more side-arm. So I try to mix it up. Batsmen have to look at the head position, so it is an advantage for me,” Chahal said on the eve of India’s opening T20 International against Ireland.

He further said a leg-spinner has more variations than a left-arm spinner.

“For example, a left-arm spinner can have only two variations, but a leg-spinner has at least four variations, so the batsmen are always thinking about what he is going to face next,” said Chahal.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore star went on to say English spinners performance in the recently-concluded series against Australia is encouraging for the Indian tweakers. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid troubled the Australians throughout. They finished the series with 12 wickets to their names.

“Wrist spinners are a recent trend, and it is not like without wrist spin you cannot win here. But I think conditions here (in Ireland and England) will help spinners. English spinners have picked up wickets in the ODI series against Australia, so that is encouraging for us. England have scored 400-plus scores against Australia, and not us,” he said.

It is Chahal’s first tour of the United Kingdom, and he is desperate to make it count.

“Every tour is important for us, but for me especially this is an important one because I have come here for the first time, whether it is Ireland or England. Yesterday, I bowled in the nets in London, and the weather was hot, almost same as in the sub-continent.

“I hope the weather stays the same and I am looking forward to more hot days like that. Whether I get to play in the first T20 or the second, I am going to enjoy my outing here,” Chahal added.

Chahal also spoke on his partnership with Kuldeep. When asked about the reason behind the successful collaboration, he said their attacking quality has helped them excel.

“Whenever Kuldeep and I come on to bowl, we look to take wickets in the middle overs and put pressure on the batsmen. Taking wickets in the middle overs is the easiest way to put pressure on the opposition,” he said.

After the two T20Is in Ireland, India will play three T20Is, three ODIs and five Tests in England.