Chahal, who was with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise from 2014 to 2021, was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 mega auction for Rs 6.5 crore.
In many ways it is a homecoming for Chahal, who was a part of the Royals team in 2010 but did not get a single game.
It is understandable that he is emotionally attached to Royal Challengers Bangalore where he spent 8 seasons (2014 to 2021).
(Rajasthan Royals photo)
in an interview with TimesofIndia.com Chahal talks about how he was never asked RCB franchise if he wants to retain and there has never been any conversation about money.
Chahal has played a total of 114 IPL matches and out of these 113 matches are for RCB, all under Virat Kohlithe captaincy of. He has taken a total of 139 IPL wickets. He played only 1 match for Mumbai Indians in 2013 Rohit Sharmathe captaincy of.
Yuzi’s 2010 Royals connection, a message for the admin, and more. Watch ️👇#RoyalsFamily | #TATAIPL2022 |… https://t.co/Pe1RWfQn2F
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) 1647094059000
TimesofIndia.com Caught with Indian spinner ahead of IPL 2022, started talking to his RCB about RR journey, playing down Virat Kohli, his love for RCB, association with new India captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul DravidT20 World Cup planning and much more.
From Royal Challengers Bangalore to Rajasthan Royals, how has Yuzvendra Chahal’s IPL journey so far been and are you excited about what lies ahead?
I’m so excited. In 2010 I was with Rajasthan Royals. I was in the team but could not make it to the main team (Playing XI). After a long time, after more than 10 years, I am back where I started. I am very happy and excited to be a part of the team once again. This is my first (IPL) family, you can say that I started my IPL journey from here. I am looking forward to sharing the ball with Ashwin Brother (R Ashwin).
(IPL photo)
You played for RCB between 2014 and 2021. How was your experience playing with RCB and under Virat Kohli?
I have a close relationship with RCB, especially with the fans. I got to play a lot of matches with the team. I am emotionally attached to RCB. I never thought that I would play for any other team. People and fans on social media are still asking me ‘Why did you ask for so much money?’ The reality is that Mike Hesson (RCB’s director of cricket) called me up and said, ‘Listen Yuji, there are three retentions’ (Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammad Siraj).
They didn’t ask me if I wanted to retain or didn’t want to tell me if they wanted to retain me. They just talked about three retentions and I was told that – ‘we will go to the auction for you’. I was neither asked about the money nor did I receive any offer of retention. But I will always be loyal to my Bangalore fans. I love them so much no matter what.
(IPL photo)
So would it be fair to say that you are expected to be retained by RCB?
The thing is, he never asked me. He just called me and told me about three retentions. If he had asked me if I wanted to continue, I would have said yes. Because money is secondary to me. RCB has given me a lot, they have given me the platform, they have given me so much love and support, the fans have given me so much affection. Yes, I am emotionally attached to RCB. That’s the most important thing for me.
But now you are with a different team. Will we see the same Chahal in a different jersey now?
clearly. The jersey will be different, but Yuji will be the same. You will see the same kind of wicket-taking performances and celebrations from my side. This is a new journey for me and I am very excited about it. Everything will remain the same, only the jersey will change. The way I bowled and performed for RCB, I will do the same for RR. Nothing’s going to change. RR showed faith in me in the auction. Sanju (Samson) and I have a very close relationship and we talk to each other and discuss plans. RR looks like a strong side and I am sure we will win the title this time.
(Rajasthan Royals photo)
How would you rate Rajasthan Royals’ title chances this time around?
On paper, RR is the strongest team. We have strong openers Sanju (Samson), Yashasvi (Jaiswal), Devdutt (Padikkal). We also have a strong middle order Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Karun Nair. We have amazing all-rounders and bowlers like James Neesham, Nathan Coulter-Nile, R Ashwin and of course me. The side looks great right now. RR has managed to tick all the boxes in the batting, fast bowling, keeping and spin departments. RR look like the perfect team.
Did you talk to Virat Kohli after he was bought by Rajasthan Royals in the auction?
not much. He (Virat Kohli) congratulated me and said ‘ you are royal, I learned a lot under his guidance and played a lot of cricket under his leadership. Be it for RCB or India, he gave me a lot of freedom on the field.
Virat Kohli is no longer the captain of the Indian cricket team. The team has a new captain in Rohit Sharma. You have good bonding with Rohit…
I call her Rohita. There is a similar relationship with Rohit Bhaiya. He is still the same. He is a fun-loving captain. He supports and encourages the youth a lot. he always says’ You don’t know what to do, go and Abbu, He gives you that freedom. I have played a few tournaments and series under his leadership. I didn’t see any change in that. I can blindly trust Rohit bhai.
(BCCI photo)
How would you say that the role of Virat Kohli in the Indian team has changed? Does he still have a leadership role to play along with Rohit?
There is a good bonding between Virat Bhaiya and Rohit Bhaiya. Looking at the West Indies series, Virat Bhaiya and Rohit Bhaiya discussed things on the field. He came forward to make suggestions and discussed the plans with Rohit Bhaiya. They are both legends of the game and have a lot of experience. You can still contact Virat Bhaiya for help or any suggestion, he is still there and ready to help.
(BCCI photo)
How would you describe the Indian dressing room under coach Rahul Dravid?
I have played under Rahul sir when he was the coach of India A team. I played a few tournaments under his leadership. I share a good bond with him. The best part is that you can contact them anytime. Rahul sir has solution for every problem. I still remember during the Sri Lanka series, Rahul sir came to my room and said – ‘UG, we are giving more people a chance’. It was a big deal when the head coach was coming up to you and saying this. He keeps the dressing room so positive. He keeps players on the same page. There is no communication gap. There is clear communication. He doesn’t treat Rohit bhaiya differently and other players differently than Virat bhaiyya. For him all are the same. Actually a net bowler is also the same for him.
What would you say the biggest difference in the Indian dressing room under Rahul Dravid is what it was under Ravi Shastri,
Everyone has a different style of coaching and captaining the team. Ravi sir was different from Rahul sir. The team bonding is still the same. Right now our main focus is on the World Cup (T20 World Cup this year, ODI World Cup in 2023). I have set some goals and I want to achieve them.
(BCCI photo)
Is making the cut for this year’s T20 World Cup your next big goal?
My first focus right now is on IPL. I want to perform here and help my team win and take as many wickets as possible. I want to take it one step at a time. I want to move from one tournament to another. It is a great honor for a player to represent his team in the World Cup. The coming two World Cups are definitely on my mind, but I just want to focus on the present. The way I am bowling, I am confident that I will make it to the World Cup squad.
India last won the T20 World Cup title in 2007 in the inaugural edition under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Do you think that Rohit Sharma, the new captain of India, can do what Dhoni did in 2007, to help India win the title this time?
Yes absolutely. I am sure Rohit bhai will get us to win the World Cup. We have a strong team. We have a bunch of talented players. We have 15-20 players who can do wonders for the team. We have a super-strong team and we have a great chance to lift the trophy this time.
(BCCI photo)
How happy were you personally to see the pair of Kulcha (Kuldeep and Chahal) playing together again in Indian cricket?
I am very happy Kuldeep is like my younger brother. We have a very good relationship both on and off the field. He was coming back from injuries and was desperate to leave. I missed him on the field. After a long time when he fell on the ground, I hugged him. I want to share the ball with him and take as many wickets as possible with him. Kulcha will dominate again.