IPL 2023: He is as big a name as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma – Harbhajan Singh on Yuzvendra Chahal becoming most successful IPL bowler

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has showered praise on Yuzvendra Chahal after the leg-spinner created history while playing against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday. After dismissing KKR skipper Nitish Rana, Chahal became the most successful IPL bowler, going past legendary Dwayne Bravo, who took a total of 183 wickets in his glittering career.

The leg-spinner returned with impressive figures of 4-25 in his quota of four overs as he played an instrumental role in restricting KKR to 149 runs. Chahal accounted for Nitish Rana, Shardul Thakur, Rinku Singh, and Venkatesh Iyer, who was the top-scorer for KKR with 57 runs.

Chahal has been in splendid form in the ongoing IPL 2023 as he is currently the leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps in 12 matches at an average of 16.90 and an economy rate of 7.91.

The Turbanator compared Yuzvendra Chahal with big names such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav.

Harbhajan Singh said on Star Sports, “If you compare his stature with any IPL batter, it will be higher than theirs. We forget bowlers at times because we give more importance to batters. He is as big a name as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav if we see his performances.”

The former MI spinner recalled when Chahal joined the franchise and revealed the leg-spinner was very skillful in the early stages of his career.

“Unfortunately, bowlers are not given that importance in our place but I am so glad to see his progress. When he was young, I remember the time when he came to the Mumbai Indians camp. He was very skillful at that time as well.”

Harbhajan went on to add that if any spinner wants to learn how to bowl leg spin, the budding cricketer should watch Chahal in action. The former off-spinner feels Chahal is next to great Shane Warne.

“With the intelligence, he has gained while playing, he is an inspiration to everyone. If any leg-spinner wants to learn bowling, watch him bowl. There was one great Shane Warne and after that him.”

Rajasthan Royals will next square off against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 60th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur in a day game on Sunday.