IPL 2020: Rahul Chahar relishes bowling on slow pitches and bigger grounds of UAE

Chahar has claimed 11 wickets from 9 games in this year's IPL for Mumbai Indians.

By Salman Anjum - 23 Oct, 2020

Mumbai Indians (MI) leg-spinner Rahul Chahar is relishing bowling on the bigger grounds of UAE as it allows him to attack the batsmen consistently in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Chahar, who has claimed 11 wickets from 9 games with a decent economy rate of 7.40, also acknowledged that the pitches getting gradually slower in UAE has played a part in his success.

"In the starting matches, we felt that the wickets (here) were similar to the Wankhede stadium, easy for batsmen. Now gradually the wickets are getting slower, and hence I have to make adjustments in lengths.

"Like at Wankhede a spinner had to bowl on a shorter side, like five meter length, but here we are bowling fuller, because the grounds are big and pitches are slightly slow, we can bowl fuller, and can attack batsmen," Chahar said on the eve of their game against CSK on Friday, as quoted by PTI.

Chahar believes wrist-spinners are more successful in the IPL 2020 as they bowl freely by keeping in mind the big grounds. RCB's Yuzvendra Chahal, who has taken 15 wickets so far, is another example.

“Maybe, grounds are big, they (wrist spinners) are getting freedom and bowl freely, can give flight and it isn't easy to hit a leg-spinner when he gives flight compared to other spinners, yes and hence they are successful," he said.

The 21-year-old Chahar also revealed that former India pacer Zaheer Khan, who is part of the team's support staff, is his go-to man and has pushed him to attack.

"I go to Zaheer Bhaiyya (Zaheer Khan), because from last year, whatever he is telling me I can understand. He understands my type of bowling too and sometimes he sits for an hour when I am bowling.

"Last year he took a separate session with me and told me the problems and solutions and I always go to him.

"Initially I was bowling safe balls, I wasn't attacking, but he kept on telling me that you are an attacking bowler and can take wickets, go attack, don't worry if you are hit for a six, he gives me confidence and says bowl freely," the young spinner said.

(With PTI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 23 Oct, 2020

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