When you perform well for your country, it's a good feeling: Yuzvendra Chahal

The Indian team scripted their second consecutive victory earlier today in the 2nd of the six-match ODI series against South Africa. The Men in Blue yet again rode on some fine performances from the Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The pair shared 8 wickets between them, with Chahal claiming a fifer. With the feat, the leggie also became the first spinner to take a five-wicket haul in the 50-over format against SA in the rainbow nation even without bowling his full quota of 10 overs.

The 27-year-old cut a pleasant picture at the mid-innings break at Supersport Park, having picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs with a wonderful exhibition of wrist-spin bowling. Following his demolition job, Chahal also revealed he feels confident about his bowling after getting more game time in the Indian squad.

Chahal went on to heap praises on skipper Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni for his success in the limited-overs format. Speaking on the same lines he said, “Great feeling. My first five-for in ODIs. And, obviously, when you perform well for your country, it’s a good feeling,” Chahal said.

He added, “When I bowled my first ball, there was grip on the wicket. So the idea was to vary pace, bowl faster, and other times bowl fuller. This was a really good wicket, more consistent turn than Durban. The captain always backs me up, even Mahi bhai [MS Dhoni]. I’ve played some matches — T20Is, IPL as well. I’m confident.”

Match Details

Chahal combined well with fellow wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav as the duo picked up eight wickets between them, bowling out South Africa for the lowest recorded ODI score in Centurion — 118. The two skilfully exploited the absence of star batsmen AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis to great effect.

Chasing a measly total, India just lost one wicket in the chase. After that lone moment of inspiration for the Proteas, it was a rather one-sided affair. Shikar Dhawan’s 50 coupled with Kohli’s contribution was enough to see India over the ropes.