India's leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is looking forward to the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. He is working on his variations and the leggie said we would get to see a "more confident Yuzi" in the upcoming series.
Chahal last played for India in ODI format against Australia last year. He was not at his best with the ball and could only pick one wicket in 19 overs that he bowled in the series while conceding runs at an economy of 8.42.
"I've a couple of variations and I'm focusing on that only, not using other deliveries. You will see a more confident Yuzi in this series," he said at a virtual press conference. "I'm just working on my angles and in general trying to bowl more," he added.
The 30-year-old called the three-match ODI series on the Sri Lanka tour a very important one for him. He was not part of the series against England at home and even got degraded in BCCI's annual contracts list from Grade B to Grade C.
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"My performance, I don't think it was a dip (in form) or anything. You can't perform in every match. I will try my level best. This series is very important to me," said Chahal, who last played an ODI in Sydney against Australia in November last year.
"I keep talking to the bowling coach. There is confidence now ... My main focus at the moment is just this series.
"There's been lesser cricket over the last year, but that's not in our hands. Whatever series happens, we want to perform. Then, my focus would be IPL and then the World T20," he said.
Rahul Dravid is coaching the team in Sri Lanka and Chahal talked about the inputs from the former India captain. "He said, do whatever you want to do, be focused on whatever you are doing."
"He told me, you are a senior and need to guide the youngsters in the team. Also, he said the series is important for me and I am focused on that only," the leggie said.
Chahal hasn't played the 50-over format this year and he was asked about adjusting to the ODIs after having played only T20Is. "Yeah...I am playing an ODI series after a long time. We already played two practice matches here (Colombo). ODIs are different compared to T20s. I have played 50-plus (ODI) matches, so it should not be an issue," he added.
"And when I bowl, I only focus on how to get batsmen out. That's it," he said.
With T20 World Cup scheduled to be played later this year in UAE, the teams who are part of the tournament are looking at every T20I series as an opportunity to prepare for the mega ICC event. Sri Lanka Cricket honorary secretary Mohan de Silva said their side is no different.
"It is of course an important series for Sri Lanka...to prepare for upcoming matches. The T20 series will be used to focus on the upcoming T2O world cup. This series will be played in bio-bubble and we are confident of maintaining a safe bio-bubble environment," he said.
India and Sri Lanka will play three ODIs on July 13, 16, and 18 respectively, followed by as many T20Is on July 21, 23, and 25.
(With PTI Inputs)
