If not RCB, I would like to play for CSK in the IPL: Yuzvendra Chahal [Interview]

Yuzvendra Chahal has had his ups and downs for Team India ever since his international debut almost half a decade ago. But with 154 wickets from 54 ODIs and 48 T20Is, he has had his fair share of success. Though at the age of 30, he has the experience of playing only 31 first-class matches, Chahal hasn’t given up hopes of representing the national team in Test matches. Across the three formats, Chahal is the most experienced in the T20s, having played 206 matches.

Even as he has weaved magic for Haryana, the leg-spinner hasn’t flattered to deceive in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Albeit he started his career for five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), it’s with the Royal Challengers (RCB) where he picked up all his wickets in the T20 tournament.

In 106 IPL games, Chahal has picked up 125 wickets after his debut in 2013. The Challengers, led by Virat Kohli, have strained in their bowling department over the years. But Chahal has often dragged them out of precarious positions.

In IPL 2021, he has struggled to find his rhythm a wee bit, however, he is expected to make a comeback in the second leg, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates.

In the meantime, amidst his busy day-to-day schedule, Chahal took time out and caught up with CricTracker, featuring on their Question-and-Answer segment, ‘Free Hit’. While most of the questions were regarding his cricketing journey, he also faced, elegantly, questions surrounding his antics on social media and chess- a game that also earned him quite a few laurels.

Here are the excerpts from Yuzvendra Chahal’s interview:

What’s your career’s best moment so far?

Debut for India in 2016.

Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni- Who’s the better captain?

Both.

You dancing to Bollywood songs or AB de Villiers singing in Kannada- Which is more entertaining according to you?

AB Sir singing in Kannada.

3 words to describe Virat Kohli

Disciplinarian, Passionate, and Hard-Working.

If a movie was made about you, which actor should essay your role and which actress should essay Dhanashree’s role?

Randeep Hooda (Chahal) and Katrina Kaif (Dhanashree).

Who would win an arm-wrestling match between you and Chris Gayle?

I will win.

If not RCB, which IPL team would you like to play for?

Chennai Super Kings.

One current chess player, you would like to have a match with?

Viswanathan Anand.

A batsman from the past you would like to bowl to?

Brian Lara Sir.

Which is the best cricket team currently, apart from India?

New Zealand.

A Bollywood actress you have a crush on?

Katrina Kaif.

With whom would you team up better in a social media banter- Rohit Sharma or Ritika Sajdeh?

Ritika Sajdeh.

What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?

Lobster.

How many times did you dismiss Glenn Maxwell in the nets?

Three to four times.

One thing that you do that annoys Dhanashree the most?

When I play PUBG.

Apart from Ee Sala Cup Namdey, what else can you say in Kannada?

Yelli Idira (Where are you?)

The best advice you have ever received from MS Dhoni?

Believe in yourself and focus.

If you were a hashtag what would you be?

#Comedian.

Your favourite holiday destination?

Greece.

One record you would love to achieve?

Taking a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Watch the interview: