Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wrist-spinner Piyush Chawla said he is really excited over playing under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy once again during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE, starting September 19.
Chawla, who was part of the Dhoni-led 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup winning squads, was picked by the Super Kings at last year's auction for INR 6.75 crores. It is believed, Dhoni remains a firm backer of the bowler's potential and had put his weight behind Chawla's inclusion for IPL 2020.
"If a captain is believing in you, what more do you want?" said the 31-year-old in an interview with Firstpost. "Definitely (excited about the reunion with Dhoni). Koi bhi leg spinner ko chahiye ke unko accha captain mile (Any leg spinner would want a good captain). I am getting Dhoni bhai, world's best captain, aur kyaa chahiye (what more do you want)?"
Chawla previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) under Gautam Gambhir, who revived the fortunes of the struggling side and led them to two titles in 2012 and 2014. Chawla said Dhoni, under whom Super Kings have been three-time champions, will give him just as much support as Gambhir did.
"It's always the same with Dhoni bhai as well. He gives freedom to the bowler, whatever you feel, go with it. He is always helping you out. And when he feels, this kind of thing might happen, then he gives suggestions to the bowler that let's do this."
"Whenever he thought that the bowler would need something in the game, he would advise from behind the wickets. So that is a very big help."
On his preparations for the tournament, Chawla said he is just focussed on the basics and isn't feeling inclined to add new variations to his repertoire.
"Jab normal se wicket mil rahe hai to naya karke confuse kyu karna? (When I am getting wicket via normal deliveries then why confuse yourself by doing something new?)"
"I just pay attention to my basics because I have reached this stage by only following the basics."
"The best thing about legspin variations is that sometimes you end up putting more wrist, sometimes less, sometimes more finger so whatever the advantage is they automatically turn into variations."
One of the best spinners in the history of the IPL with 150 wickets and an economy rate of 7.82 across 157 matches, Chawla said his mindset in T20s has always been to go for the wickets and not allow the opposition to play the game on their pace, disturb their rhythm.
"My aim is never to save runs, I always go for wickets. The most important thing is the belief. Whatever the situation and whenever it is, as a bowler it's very important to believe that you can do it. And as a bowler my game is an attacking one, I have to go for the wickets and not look at saving runs which plays a big role."
"There's not much difference (in me from the early years). Only the thought process keeps changing with time. When you start off and slowly become an experienced player, one more motivation gets instilled that you know that people are expecting something out of you. "
"There are no major changes (with the mindset as well) as such. Whatever mindset I had 10 years ago, today also it's similar. Ten years ago also I used to think I have to play attacking cricket and today also I think the same," he signed off.
Chennai Super Kings face defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on the opening day of IPL 2020.
