Chahal to flight the ball at 'bigger' VCA

Leg-spinner Yuzv­endra Chahal was among the few bright spots in India’s dismal outing against England in the opening T20I. The performance gave confidence to the leg-spinner who hoped the big VCA stadium ground would com­plement his bowling in the must-win match on Sunday.

The VCA stadium is counted among the bigger grounds in the country, and Chahal was quick to point out that it could play to the advantage of the bowlers. “A big ground makes a difference as you can flight the ball. When the ground is big, the batsman needs to think which ball to hit. In a small ground, batsman can try hitting every ball but here he has to choose and try,” Chahal said. “My aim is to bowl stump to stump."

It was Chahal’s first home series and the 26-year-old admitted it took him some time to calm his nerves. “This was my first series after the tour of Zimbabwe (June 2016). Playing in India, the ground is always full and there is pressure of the home crowd. I was a bit nervous at the start. After bowling the first over, I gained confidence."

The 26-year-old said he benefitted from playing Ranji Trophy matches at neutral venues, emerging the highest wicket-taker for Haryana this season.

“I had never played so many matches in the past, but this time Mishy bhaiya (Amit Mishra) and Jayant (Yadav) were playing for India. So, I had a chance to grab. I had a good performance in seven matches. After Zimbabwe, I played for India ‘A’ and then DY Patil and then I came here,” he said.

Asked about plans to tackle England’s batsmen, Chahal said: “We have not discussed, but the way they batted in the previous game gives a plus point to the bowlers as they were trying to hit all the balls. I got hit for a six in the first ball and then I got a wicket."