Virat Kohli-Led RCB No More A Weak Bowling Lineup, Says Yuzuvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers Bangalore have risen to second in the IPL points table and Yuzuvendra Chahal feels this turnaround in not only down to the batsmen but also because of an improvement in the bowling department
Highlights
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RCB beat KXIP to go second in the IPL table
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Chahal took 4 wickets against KXIP
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He is the second highest wicket-taker in IPL 2016 with 16 wickets
Royal Challengers Bangalore batting has been firing on all cylinders with captain Virat Kohli leading the charge with a record-breaking spree but leggie Yuzuvendra Chahal feels his side's bowlers have also played a crucial role in the team's turnaround in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Chahal said that RCB bowlers played no small part in the team rising to number two spot in the IPL points table, especially after Chris Jordan joined the side.
"In last two games, the bowlers have done really good job because in earlier games bowling was the concern and we were facing combination problems too. Now, the combination is right and bowlers are bowling in right areas. We have improved our bowling and erased the tag of having a weak bowling lineup," Chahal told reporters at post-match press conference after RCB beat Kings XI Punjab by 82 runs.
"When Jordan came into the team, the first two matches did not go well for him. The way he bowled in Mohali and in the last match against KKR it helped the team, especially when you have Watson and Jordon it helps," he said.
Chahal said he felt lucky to have Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson in his team instead of bowling at them.
"Yeah (I don't like to bowl at them). The top four batsmen -- Watson, Gayle, Virat and AB -- are in my team. So, I feel I am lucky," he said.
Asked what he thought was the secret behind Kohli's success in this IPL, Chahal said, "He is working on his fitness and spends lot of time in the gym, and also in the nets. After initial practice, he bats on the centre wicket to practice hitting sixes. He has worked hard and hence he has scored so many runs this IPL."
Replying to a question, Chahal said Kohli gave him freedom to bowl, but he would insist on not giving away sixes.
"When he tosses the ball to me, he tells me not to give away sixes, but bowl freely. Against KXIP, I went after wickets because we had a big total. He just told me to bowl the way I bowl," Chahal said.