India wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal doesn’t think cricketers could be better off wearing shorts instead of trousers, given that the game is often played in extreme heat.
Chahal was asked about this question after India's three-run win over West Indies in the first ODI at the Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad on Friday (July 22).
"No, No. I don't agree with that (playing in shorts). Because we have to take care of our knees whenever you slide, it's very hard. My two knees are already gone, there are many bruises. I think full pants work well for us," Chahal said at the post-match press conference.
See Also: “Disappointed not to get the 100”, says Shikhar Dhawan after India’s nervy win in 1st ODI
Yuzvendra Chahal returned with the figures of 2 for 58 in his 10 overs. The leggie said bowling in tight situations in the IPL helped him immensely and also the words of encouragement from team management, including head coach Rahul Dravid.
"The coach always backs me. He tells me 'Yuzi just back your strengths, we trust you'...," Chahal, who removed the dangerous Brandon King (54) in the 45th over, said.
"And when the coaches and management gives you that much confidence you are always ready to go and perform.
"I always back my strengths, I knew that the ball had become old and the ball can turn and beat the batters. So I was changing my line, bowling wider because the leg side boundary was a bit small so I thought if he hits me over cover it would be better.
"This change has come from the IPL, because there I was bowling the 16th, 17th and 18th over, so I got the confidence from there. My role was clear, I was told to bowl two-three overs after the 40th over. So I practice accordingly and also plan with our bowling coach."
Akeal Hosein (32*) and Romario Shepherd (39*) almost took West Indies over the finishing line but Indian bowlers held their nerves to seal a thrilling win.
Mohammed Siraj was the stand-out bowler for India, returning with the figures of 2/57 in his 10 overs. The right-arm pacer also defended 15 runs in the final over.
"We had full faith in Siraj and that we can defend fifteen runs in the last over as he was bowling his yorkers very well... He missed hardly one or two yorkers earlier.
"But yes, a little bit of pressure is always there, given the way they were batting. Sanju (Samson) stopped a certain boundary off a wide, and that raised our confidence."
Even though some big names are missing from the squad, Chahal said the bowling attack can’t be termed as inexperienced.
"There was not much pressure, because if you look at the team overall, almost everyone has played a lot of first-class matches, they have gained so much experience from the IPL, so you can't say the bowling line-up was inexperienced," he stated.
Commenting on stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who slammed 97 off 99 balls at the top, Chahal said, "He is a cool guy, his bonding with every player is like a brother. We talk about our plans, various situations, and sometimes we also have fun on and off the field."
(With PTI inputs)
