Yuzvendra Chahal feels truncated game gave Australia immense advantage

The first ODI of the 5-match series against Australia was marred by rain which saw the game to be reduced to a 21 over chase for the visiting side. Young spinner Yuzvendra Chahal feels that given the conditions, it was an advantage to Smith’s side but the Australian felt otherwise.

Smith believes 2 new balls was a big disadvantage

In the post-match press conference Steve Smith had said that due to the presence of two new balls in a 21-over chase, Australian batsmen were tested which was a big negative for his side. The 27-year old went on to say that if it was a normal T20 game, the chase would have become very easy for his side. India went on to win the series opener by a 21-run margin.

“When you have two new balls from both ends, as you saw (during) the whole game, they found it hard. It was the same for us. You don’t have a great deal of time to make things up. Perhaps we could have been a little bit more defensive at the start and go a bit harder,” he said.

Chahal thinks otherwise

Chahal, who picked up 3/30 off 5 overs in the game, differed to the Australian skipper’s statement. The leg-spinner pointed all that if there was any advantage of the truncated game; it was for Australia because the home side had to place five fielders inside the circle in the second powerplay, unlike in T20 cricket. He also said that the hardness of the ball made it easier for the batsmen to time it.

“Our minus point was that we had to bowl 10 overs each with a new ball. We bowled well, so whether it’s a new or old ball, it doesn’t matter. Australia had an advantage in the 20-over game, because the rule was not for a 20-over game and the extra fielder was always in the inner circle. But the plus (for India) was that the wicket was turning and the way our medium-pacers bowled at the start helped us put pressure on them from the very beginning. We never allowed them to get into the game.”

The target of 164 from 21 overs was a straightforward one for a team which boasts of players like Warner, Smith, and Maxwell. But the visitors lost early wickets which pegged them back at the start of the innings. Chahal, who was the pick of the Indian bowlers on the night, said that he is an attacking bowler but as an international cricketer, he has to reassess to the situation of the game. He also acknowledged Kohli’s instincts which further boost his confidence.

“Wrist spinners are mostly attacking but when your captain is so attacking, you get the freedom to attack more,” Chahal told reporters after India beat Australia by 26 runs by Duckworth Lewis method on Sunday.

“But sometimes, we also have to take a step back and you change your plans,” he added.

Kuldeep, Chahal are aggressive bowlers

India have shown faith in two wrist spinners of late – Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Chahal stated how both bowlers exchange notes and work in pairs to bring the downfall of the opposition.

“We (both him and Kuldeep) go by the situation and since both of us are attacking bowlers, we go for wickets. Depending on the match situation, we look at things. If he bowls first, I tell him where the ball is spinning from and how we can get him out,” said the 27-year-old player.

“Because we both look for wickets, there is no point in playing safe. You don’t win matches that way,” he said.