NEW DELHI: "Happy to be back where I started" - said an excited Yuzvendra Chahal, who will be seen playing in the Rajasthan Royals jersey this Indian Premier League season.
Chahal, who was with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise from 2014 to 2021, was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 6.5 crore at the Indian Premier League 2022 mega auction.
In many ways, it is a homecoming for Chahal, who was part of the Royals squad in 2010, but didn't get a single game.
It's understandable that he is emotionally attached to the Royal Challengers Bangalore where he spent 8 seasons (2014 to 2021). In an interview with Times of India Chahal talks about how he was never asked by the RCB franchise if he would want to be retained and that there was never any conversation about money.
Chahal has played 114 Indian Premier League matches overall and of these 113 appearances have been for RCB, all under Virat captaincy. He has taken 139 Indian Premier League wickets in all. He played only 1 match for Mumbai Indians in 2013, under Rohit captaincy.
Times of India caught up with the Indian spinner before Indian Premier League 2022 began to talk about his RCB to RR journey, playing under Kohli, his love for RCB, bonding with new India captain Rohit Sharma, coach Dravid, plans for the T20 World Cup and much more.
From Royal Challengers Bangalore to the Rajasthan Royals, what has Yuzvendra Chahal's Indian Premier League journey so far been like and are you excited about what's coming up next?
I am very excited. In 2010, I was with Rajasthan Royals. I was in the squad but didn't make it to the main team. After a long time, say more than 10 years, I am back where I started. I am so happy and excited to be part of the team once again. It's my first family you can say as I started my Indian Premier League journey from here. I am excited to share the ball with Ashwin.
You played for RCB between 2014 and 2021. What was your experience with RCB and playing under Virat Kohli like?
I have a close bond with RCB, especially with the fans. I got to play a lot of matches with the team. I am emotionally attached to RCB. I never thought I would play for some other team. People and fans on social media are still asking me, 'why did you ask for this much money?'. The reality is that Mike Hesson (RCB Director of Cricket) called me and said 'Listen Chahal, there are three retentions' (Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj).
They didn't ask me whether I wanted to be retained or tell me if they wanted to retain me. They just talked about the three retentions and I was told that - 'we will go for you in the auction'. Neither was I asked about money nor did I get any offer of retention. But I will always be loyal to my Bangalore fans. I love them so much, no matter what.
So would it be fair to say that you expected to be retained by RCB?
The thing is they never asked me. They just called me and told me about the three retentions. If they had asked me whether I wanted to be retained, I would have said yes. Because money is secondary to me. RCB have given me so much, they gave me the platform, they gave me so much love and support, the fans gave me a lot of affection. Yes, I am attached to RCB emotionally. That's the most important thing for me.
But now you are with a different team. Will we see the same Chahal in a different jersey now?
Obviously. The jersey will be different, but the Cahal will be the same. You will see the same kind of wicket-taking performances and celebrations from me. It's a new journey for me and I am very excited about it. Everything will be the same, only the jersey will change. The way I bowled and performed for RCB, I will do the same for RR also. Nothing is going to change. RR showed faith in me at the auction. Sanju Samson and I share a very close bond and we speak with each other and discuss plans. RR is looking like a strong side and I am sure we will win the title this time.
How would you rate Rajasthan Royals' title chances this time?
On paper, RR is the strongest team. We have solid openers Samson, Jaiswal, Padikkal. We have a strong middle order too with Parag, Karun. We have amazing all-rounders and bowlers in Neesham, Coulter-Nile, Ashwin, and of course me. The side looks pretty good right now. In the batting, fast bowling, keeping, and spin departments, RR have managed to tick all the boxes. RR look like the perfect team.
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