New Delhi: Indian cricket team's star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is not in favor of playing cricket in 'shorts' like football and tennis. After the first ODI between India and West Indies, when Chahal was asked whether cricket should also be played wearing 'shorts' instead of trousers as the sport is often played in extreme heat, he rejected the idea.
"No, No. I don't agree with that (playing in shorts). Because we have to take care of our knees whenever you slide, it's very hard. My two knees are already gone, there are many bruises. I think full pants work well for us," Chahal said at the post-match press conference.
Talking about the ODI series opener against West Indies, Chahal said bowling in tight situations in the IPL helped him immensely. The spinner finished with remarkable bowling figures of 2/58 from his 10 overs.
"The coach always backs me. He tells me 'Yuzi just back your strengths, we trust you'...," Chahal, who gave the timely breakthrough of Brandon King (54) in the 45th over to make the job tougher for the West Indies in their stiff chase of 309, said.
"And when the coaches and management gives you that much confidence you are always ready to go and perform.
"I always back my strengths, I knew that the ball had become old and the ball can turn and beat the batters. So I was changing my line, bowling wider because the leg side boundary was a bit small so I thought if he hits me over cover it would be better.
"This change has come from the IPL, because there I was bowling the 16th, 17th and 18th over, so I got the confidence from there. My role was clear, I was told to bowl two-three overs after the 40th over. So I practice accordingly and also plan with our bowling coach."