IPL 2021: Confidence in my abilities helped me get back among wickets – Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bangalore leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal feels the confidence in his abilities has helped him get back among wickets.

Chahal had an insipid run in the first half of the IPL 2021 season as he could scalp only four wickets in the seven matches he played.

However, Chahal was able to turn the tables in the second phase and he has been at his absolute best for the franchise. In fact, Chahal was not picked by the national selectors for the T20 World Cup and he has shown what the team could be missing in the T20I showpiece.

Chahal scalped three wickets for only 11 runs in the match against defending champions Mumbai Indians. Subsequently, the leg-spinner from Haryana continued his good form as he snared two wickets and conceded only 18 runs in his quota of four overs against Rajasthan Royals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

“In the first half of the IPL, I didn’t bowl well in 3-4 games. Then I spoke to players and family on what I’ am doing wrong. and then I regained confidence in Sri Lanka. Confidence is key to bowling, so I was using that here,” Chahal said after the match.

Chahal revealed the plan Virat Kohli had against Rajasthan Royals’ left-handers. Chahal was able to dismiss Mahipal Lomror and also got the crucial wicket of Liam Livingstone.

“Two left-handers were batting, so Virat said let’s go with the medium pacer. He told me I will come when Lewis (Evin Lewis) gets out, but I came on since Lewis was still going good,” he said. “I wanted them to play over covers since it’s wider there. Wanted to also blow slower,” he said.

The leg-spinner will look to continue his good form for RCB and he has done a fine job. Chahal has scalped 11 wickets in as many matches at an average of 24.36 and a decent economy rate of 7.24. In fact, Chahal has bagged seven wickets in four matches of the second phase. RCB will next face Punjab Kings on 3rd October at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.