Colombo, July 8: Back in ODI fold, India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Thursday said he is working on his variations and angles and one would ‘see a more confident Yuzi’ in the upcoming limited over series against Sri Lanka.
“I’ve a couple of variations and I’m focusing on that only, not using other deliveries. You will see a more confident Yuzi in this series,” he said at a virtual press conference on the announcement of the title sponsors for India’s tour of Sri Lanka.
“I’m just working on my angles and in general trying to bowl more.” Chahal, who was a vital cog in India’s ODI team ahead of the 2019 World Cup, was demoted to Grade C from Grade B in the BCCI annual contracts list for the year and didn’t feature in the home ODI series against England.
Returning to the ODI set-up, the attacking leg-spinner said his sole focus was on the upcoming limited over series against Sri Lanka before he could turn his attention to the IPL and the T20 World Cup.
“My performance – I don’t think it was a dip (in form) or anything. You can’t perform in every match. I will try my level best. This series is very important to me,” said Chahal, who last played an ODI in Sydney against Australia in November last year.
Talking about the inputs that he received from Rahul Dravid, who is the coach of the Indian team for the ODI and T20 series in Sri Lanka, Chahal said: “He said, do whatever you want to do, be focused on whatever you are doing.
“He told me, you are a senior and need to guide the youngsters in the team. Also, he said the series is important for me and I am focused on that only,” the 30-year-old spinner, who has featured in 54 ODIs and 48 T20 Internationals, said.
Asked about adjusting to ODIs after having primarily played only T20s in the last six months or so, Chahal said, “Yeah…I am playing an ODI series after a long time. We already played two practice matches here. ODIs are different compared to T20s. I have played 50-plus (ODI) matches, so it should not be an issue.
India will play three ODIs on July 13, 16 and 18 respectively. (PTI)
