IND vs WI: We Had Confidence And Belief In Mohammed Siraj The Way He Was Bowling Yorkers - Yuzvendra Chahal On Final Over Finish In 1st ODI

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said that the team had ample faith in the skills of Mohammed Siraj to be able to defend 15 runs in the final over of the first ODI against West Indies on Friday.

Chasing 309 for the win, the Windies had Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein at the crease with 15 needed from the final over. Siraj bowled yorkers consistently and gave away just 11 runs in the over to help the visitors take a 1-0 lead.

“We had confidence and belief that Siraj could defend 15 runs in the final over because of the way he was bowling his yorkers. In his previous two overs as well, he had missed hardly one or two yorkers.”

“There was confidence, but also pressure because of the way they (West Indies) were batting. When Sanju Samson made that save on the wide ball, it raised our confidence,” said Chahal in a post-match press conference.

Yuzvendra Chahal on his gameplan during the run chase

Chahal revealed that the short boundaries on one side were a problem and he tried his best to make the batters hit on the longer side. The ball was turning after it was used for a few overs and Chahal took advantage of the same.

“I knew that the ball was getting old and you can beat the batter by turning it. I was changing my line and bowling wider because the leg side boundary was small. I wanted them to hit me over the covers.”

“I got a lot of confidence through that. I bowl two overs after the 40-over mark. My role is clear to me. I practice in the nets accordingly and discuss my plans with the coaches,” he added.

Following the win, India is now one win away to register their 12th ODI series win on the trot against the West Indies, which will be the highest-ever against a side.

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