Yuzvendra Chahal expressed his admiration for Dhoni’s captaincy style, stating that the former captain provided bowlers with the freedom they needed to excel. He also commended Hardik Pandya for adopting a similar approach, allowing the bowlers to set their own fields, thus empowering them to perform at their best.
Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, played a pivotal role in the opening match of the ongoing five-game series against the West Indies. Having made his T20I debut in 2016, Chahal has had the privilege of working under some legendary captains in white-ball cricket. Ahead of the second T20I, he shared insights about playing for India under different leaders.
Comparing the captaincy styles, Chahal drew an analogy to a family dynamic. He likened MS Dhoni to the eldest brother, followed by Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and now, Hardik Pandya. According to Chahal, the common thread among them is the freedom they grant to the bowlers. He emphasized that Dhoni had provided this freedom in the past, and now Hardik does the same, allowing the bowlers to set their own fields, thus empowering them to perform to their full potential.
“I see it this way – You have four brothers in your family. Badey bhai they Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni – the eldest brother), then came Virat, Rohit and now Hardik. The equation remains the same. Nothing changes. On the ground, everyone wants their team to win. He gives us freedom as a bowler. The same freedom we used to receive, Hardik is giving us now. We (bowlers) can set our own field,” Chahal said in the pre-match press conference.
Speaking highly of Hardik Pandya, Chahal praised the all-rounder as a go-to bowler who provides valuable inputs when the team’s strategy needs adjustment. Despite changes in leadership, Chahal highlighted that the bowlers always receive the necessary freedom and support from their captain.
Looking ahead to the second T20I at Providence Stadium on August 6, Chahal acknowledged that the West Indies took an early lead in the series, securing a four-run victory in the first T20I at Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an enthralling contest in the upcoming match as both teams aim to showcase their best performances.
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