Yuzvendra Chahal in action for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023© BCCI
India and Rajasthan Royals spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed on Tuesday that the new impact substitution rule has worked well for Rajasthan Royals, last year’s Indian Premier League finalists, who top the points table with four wins in their first five matches. While none of the three Rajasthan Royals bowlers — Adam Zampa (1/43 against Chennai Super Kings), Murugan Ashwin (0/11 against Delhi Capitals) and Navdeep Saini (0/34 against Sunrisers Hyderabad) — made an impact as substitutes, his it’s their hitters who hit crucial hits.
Dhruv Jurel’s 32 not off 15 balls against Punjab Kings almost won the match for RR – who lost by five points – in Guwahati, while Devdutt Padikkal scored a vital 26 against Gujarat Titans to help RR take their first win over the IPL 2022 champions books in four meetings.
“It has worked in our favor given the way Dhruv (Jurel) and Dev (Devdutt Padikkal) have batted. It’s a plus because I don’t have anything to do with the bat. A batter is added, which is a plus,” said Chahal , who has been substituted twice in five games, to the media ahead of RR’s game against Lucknow Super Giants.
RR played their first two ‘home’ games at Guwahati and Wednesday night’s game will be their first at home at Sawai Mansingh Stadium here.
“It’s a bigger terrain here, so as a spinner I’m happy,” said Chahal.
The Indian top spinner said he enjoys the challenge of bowling alongside Australian senior Ravichandran Ashwin and Zampa.
“Management decides on a case-by-case basis (whether they play together). We have a good relationship between us, because we played the last two games together,” he said.
“My main motive this year is to win the trophy, not just the Purple Cap,” said Chahal, who has taken 11 wickets in five matches so far after finishing the last IPL with 27 scalps as the top wicket taker.
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