Chahal Opens Up About His Life Journey:

Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s premier white-ball spinner, has come a long way from being a chess player (he still holds a 1956 FIDE rating) to being an international reputed cricketer. The 29-year-old leg-spinner, a veteran of 52 One Day Internationals and 42 Twenty20 internationals, is also an integral part of the Bangalore-based Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Royal Challengers.

“Cricket is my life, whatever I am today, it’s because of the game, the name and the fame I’ve received, I feel like I’ll miss it all once I’ve finished my playing days,” Yuzvendra Chahal told a leading sports website.

The 29-year-old even went back to his younger days as a cricketer in a freewheeling chat, and the recognition that eventually came after years of hard work and toil, playing for Haryana in different age groups. “When I was just 10 years old, I played U-14 cricket, it all started there, then I followed it with the U-15 age group cricket, captaining Haryana in a few U-17 and U-19 games before finally making my Ranji debut in 2009 against Madhya Pradesh,” Chahal said.

Speaking of his India dreams, the leg-spinner said after becoming the top wicket-taker in one season of the Cooch Behar Trophy, India’s premier Under-19 cricket tournament, he realized his potential. “During my school days, I was a medium-pacer but my father insistedthat I turn to a leg-spin (because of my lean frame),” Chahal chuckled.”Afterwards I became the top wicket-taker in one season of the Cooch Behar Trophy (India’s premier Under-19 tournament). That’s when I knew that I was getting better with the talent and the opportunity.The age-group matches were followed by results for Haryana in the Ranji Trophy, the 50-over matches, the T20s and then I was selected for the Indian team, “he said with a beam of joy in his eyes.

Chahal’s personal coach Randhir Singh praised Chahal for his disciplined way of life. “His ability to think and his abilities make him stand out from the rest,” he said. “His chess experience was of great benefit, he represented India at the junior levels, this obviously made him mentally sharp, his tactics helped him dismiss batsmen. He may be physically lean, but as a bowler he’s got a big heart, he’s not worried about the batsmen coming to strike him,” he added.