West Indies vs India 2023

‘Badey bhai they Mahi bhai’ – Yuzvendra Chahal recalls MS Dhoni, shares his views on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy

The star Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has shared similarities with MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. Chahal is currently part of the Indian squad for the West Indies tour in the five T20I series, whereas the Indian side lost the first T20I against the home side by four runs. Nevertheless, Chahal, in the first game of the 20-over fixture, recorded a figure of 2/24 in three overs. 

Star leg spinner Chahal has played under different captains, including MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya, while he made his international debut in 2016. The 33-year-old considers the all-Indian skipper he played under his brother, with Dhoni being the eldest of all. He is also the first Indian and second player in history to pick up a six-wicket haul in T20I cricket. 

Hardik Pandya gives us freedom as a bowler – Yuzvendra Chahal

“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,” Yuzvendra Chahal said at the pre-match press conference before the 2nd T20I. 

“Even Hardik is a go-to bowler; if the plan doesn’t work, he provides his own input. So, there are not any wholesome changes when it comes to leadership. The bowler (At Team India) always receives the freedom he needs from his captain,” he further added. 

In the end, now India will take on the West Indies in the second T20I on August 6, whereas in the first game, the Men in Blue failed to chase down the target of 150 runs against a Rovman Powell-led side. Although the Indian side on this tour has already won the Test series by 1-0 and the ODI fixtures by 2-1, the visitors will be hopeful that Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will perform well in the upcoming clash, as they collectively took three wickets in the last game.