Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared a light-hearted behind-the-scenes story from his time with fellow leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, recalling how the bowler’s confidence at the crease used to come with plenty of jokes. Ashwin, speaking on JioHotstar’s Champions Waali Commentary, described how Chahal—who was a regular presence in the Rajasthan Royals dressing room—would talk up his batting background and even ask repeatedly to be sent in as an opener during their IPL stints.
Chahal’s Under-19 batting claims and Ashwin’s punchline
Ashwin said he would often hear Chahal boast about his hitting in his Under-19 days. The leg-spinner, according to Ashwin, claimed he had scored a hundred at that level and suggested that when a game demanded a breakthrough with the bat, he should be the one to go in.
However, Ashwin admitted he was left questioning the logic of it all, adding his own humorous twist. He wondered where Chahal would find the “power” to clear the boundary, given his role as a specialist bowler.
“Chahal once told me that he used to bat during his Under-19 days and even claimed to have scored a hundred back then. He said that in a high-pressure situation, if the team needed someone to step up, they should send him in. But honestly, my question is simple: where is Chahal going to find the power to clear the boundary?” Ashwin said.
Repeated requests to open the innings at Rajasthan Royals
Ashwin also remembered that during the period they shared at Rajasthan Royals—from 2022 to 2024—Chahal frequently tried to persuade the team management to let him open the batting. Ashwin, who often came up in the batting order for the franchise, explained that this habit used to play out in the moments before a chase or a new spell of batting.
- Ashwin said the pair spent three seasons together at Rajasthan Royals, and he noticed Chahal constantly pushing for an opening role.
- He recalled that because RR used to send him up the order, he would routinely pad up to bat.
- According to Ashwin, Chahal would then approach him and ask him to take his pads off because Chahal wanted to go out to bat instead.
- Ashwin added that his concern wasn’t just tactical—he pointed out that if Chahal faced top pace early in the innings, it could also risk his safety.
- He specifically referenced the prospect of facing fast bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj with the new ball, asking who would then handle the bowling responsibilities for the team.
“We spent three seasons together at Rajasthan Royals. I noticed that wherever he goes, he keeps asking to open the batting. I remember padding up because RR used to send me up the order. But Chahal would walk up and tell me to take my pads off because he wanted to go out to bat instead. If he goes out to face the new ball against Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, then who is going to bowl for us? More importantly, he might end up hurting himself against that kind of pace,” Ashwin signed off.
Chahal’s record: wicket-taking legend, batting mostly a mystery
While Chahal’s Under-19 confidence made for entertaining dressing-room chatter, Ashwin’s comments also highlighted a stark contrast with his professional batting output. Chahal has not reached 1,000 runs across all formats in professional cricket, and his highest score stands at 48 in first-class matches.
On the bowling side, though, Chahal’s numbers are outstanding. He is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, having claimed 228 wickets in 183 matches at an average of 23.18 and an economy rate of 8.03. His best IPL figures are 5/40.
For India, across both limited-overs formats combined, Chahal has taken 217 wickets in 152 appearances.
