IPL 2016: Batsmen on fire, but bowlers have also contributed in RCB's turnaround, says Chahal

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batting has been on fire with captain Virat Kohli leading the charge with a record-breaking spree but leggie Yuzuvendra Chahal feels his side’s bowlers have also played a crucial role in the team’s turnaround in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Chahal said that RCB bowlers played no small part in the team rising to number two spot in the IPL points table, especially after Chris Jordan joined the side. [caption id=“attachment_2788460” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick among the RCB bowlers against KXIP, picking four wicket for 25 runs. Sportzpics/IPL[/caption] “In last two games, the bowlers have done really good job because in earlier games bowling was the concern and we were facing combination problems too. Now, the combination is right and bowlers are bowling in right areas. We have improved our bowling and erased the tag of having a weak bowling lineup,” Chahal told reporters at post-match press conference after RCB beat Kings XI Punjab by 82 runs in Bengaluru. “When Jordan came into the team, the first two matches did not go well for him. The way he bowled in Mohali and in the last match against KKR it helped the team, especially when you have Watson and Jordan it helps,” he said. Chahal said he felt lucky to have Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson in his team instead of bowling at them. “Yeah (I don’t feel like to bowl at them). The top four batsmen — Watson, Gayle, Virat and AB — are in my team. So, I feel I am lucky,” he said. Asked what he thought the secret of Kohli’s success in this IPL, Chahal said, “He is working on his fitness and spends lot of time in the gym, and also in nets. After the batting, he bats on the centre wicket to practise hitting sixes. He has worked hard and hence he has made over 400 runs this IPL.” Replying to a question, Chahal said Kohli gave him freedom to bowl, but he would insist on not giving away sixes. “When he tosses the ball to me, he tells me not to give away sixes, but bowl freely. Against KXIP, I went after wickets because we had a big total on hands. He just told me to bowl the way I bowl,” Chahal said.