Cricket

Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who last represented India in an ODI in 2012, has unveiled his all-time India ODI XI. In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Chawla named legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni as the captain of his dream team.At the top of the order, Chawla opted for the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and current India skipper Rohit Sharma as openers. Surprisingly, he placed Virender Sehwag at number three, demoting Virat Kohli to the fourth position.In the middle order, Chawla selected Yuvraj Singh and Kapil Dev, the captain of India's maiden ODI World Cup triumph in 1983, as his all-rounders. Dhoni's presence at number six further bolstered the batting lineup.For the bowling department, Chawla chose two spinners, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, and two pacers, one each from the past and present teams. He picked Jasprit Bumrah to partner 2011 World Cup-winner Zaheer Khan.Chawla also shared his admiration for Rohit Sharma's leadership qualities. "He's not just a captain, he's a leader," Chawla said. "He sets the tone and makes it easy for the other batters. He gives you a free hand."

Piyush Chawla Hints at Retirement, Jokes About Playing with Prithvi Shaw's SonVeteran Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla has playfully hinted at his retirement plans, suggesting that he might hang up his boots after former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Chawla, 35, remains an active player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has expressed his desire to continue playing for several more years. In a recent interview on The Shubhankar Mishra Show, Chawla engaged in a light-hearted conversation with fellow cricketer Prithvi Shaw about his retirement plans."A while ago, Prithvi Shaw told me, 'Bas karo yaar ab PC bhai.' I said, I've played with Sachin paaji, and now playing with his son. I am playing with you, and after playing with your son, I will retire," Chawla said with a smile.Chawla's remarks underscore his enduring passion for cricket. Despite no longer being a part of the Indian national team, the two-time World Cup winner continues to make a significant impact in the IPL.When asked who might retire first, Chawla humorously pointed to his former India captain, MS Dhoni, saying, "Mahi bhai." Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, also continues to play in the IPL like Chawla.Both players are known for their longevity in cricket, continuing to perform at a high level despite their age. Chawla's comments suggest that he plans to stay in the game for a while longer, entertaining cricket fans for more seasons to come.

Piyush Chawla, a seasoned Indian spinner, has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma's exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to the Mumbai Indians franchise. Chawla, who played alongside Rohit in the 2023 IPL season, witnessed firsthand the impact of his captaincy on the team's success.Chawla highlighted Rohit's unwavering loyalty and tireless efforts for the Mumbai Indians. He emphasized how Rohit's leadership played a crucial role in guiding the team to numerous victories. In the 2023 IPL season, Chawla himself showcased his prowess on the field, securing 22 wickets across 16 matches, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.Chawla shared an anecdote from the season, revealing an instance when Rohit summoned him to his room at the unusual hour of 2:30 AM. "I've played so much cricket with him that we've reached a comfort level. We sit off-the-field as well. Once, at 2:30 in the night, he texted me and asked, 'you up?' He drew a field on paper and discussed with me about potentially dismissing Warner. Even at that time, he was thinking about how he could get the best out of me," Chawla told Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.Chawla stressed that Rohit's influence extends beyond his role as a captain, highlighting his leadership qualities. He referred to instances from the ODI World Cup held last year and the recent T20 World Cup to support his point. "There's a captain, then there's a leader. He isn't a captain, he is a leader. Whether it was 2023 ODI WC, or the 2024 T20 WC, the way he batted, he sets the tone in such a way that he made it easy for next batters. He's a true leader. He gives you a free hand," said Chawla.Rohit-led Indian team ended the decade-long ICC title drought after beating South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 to lift their second title in the format. In 2023, the Men in Blue failed to win the World Test Championship and 2023 ODI World Cup under Rohit's leadership after losing to Australia in the finals.

Shane Warne's Profound Impact on Indian Cricket: Piyush Chawla's Transformative EncounterShane Warne, the legendary Australian leg-spinner, left an indelible mark not only on his home country's cricket but also on the Indian cricketing landscape. Piyush Chawla, a prominent Indian spinner, recently revealed the profound guidance he received from Warne during a pivotal moment in his career.In 2008, Chawla, then an 18-year-old leg-spinner, was struggling to adjust to the demands of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His debut match for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against Chennai Super Kings proved disastrous, with Michael Hussey's century leaving him demoralized."I got smashed for 20 runs in just one over," Chawla recalled on the 2 Sloggers podcast. "I thought, 'This T20 cricket is not my cup of tea.'"At this critical juncture, Chawla's captain, Yuvraj Singh, intervened and arranged a meeting between him and Warne, despite the language barriers. This encounter proved transformative for Chawla."Warne said so many things to me and made me understand the little things about cricket," Chawla said. "After 40 minutes, I left his room and I felt there is no bowler better than me."Warne's advice rejuvenated Chawla's confidence. In his next match, he delivered an impressive spell of 2/19, showcasing his true potential. This performance marked the beginning of a long and successful IPL career.Seventeen years later, Chawla has become a veteran of the IPL, amassing 192 wickets over his career. He credits Warne's guidance as a pivotal moment in his development as a spinner."Shane Warne's impact on Indian cricket is immense," Chawla said. "He not only inspired me but also countless other young spinners in India."Warne's legacy extends beyond his own playing career. His mentorship of young players, including Chawla, has left a lasting impact on the game of cricket in India and around the world.

Piyush Chawla Reflects on Enduring Friendship with Virat KohliVeteran Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has shared his insights into his long-standing friendship with Virat Kohli, revealing that their bond remains as strong as ever despite Kohli's rise to fame.Chawla, who has known Kohli since their days in the under-19 cricket circuit, described their relationship as "great camaraderie." He recalled a recent encounter with Kohli during the Asia Cup, where the former Indian captain approached him for a casual chat and food order."Virat Kohli is still the same as me as he was 10-15 years before," Chawla said. "My experience with him is always good."Chawla's comments contrast with those of another veteran Indian leg-spinner, Amit Mishra, who recently expressed that Kohli's rise to fame had impacted their interactions. Mishra claimed that Kohli had become more distant and less approachable.However, Chawla maintained that Kohli's personality has remained unchanged. "He has the same conversations with us that we used to have 10-15 years ago," he said.Despite Kohli's recent struggles in white-ball cricket, Chawla remains confident in his abilities. He believes that Kohli will return to form and continue to be a force in international cricket."He's a great player, and he's going to come back stronger," Chawla said. "He's a fighter, and he's going to prove himself again."Kohli is currently taking a brief break from cricket to spend time with his family in London. He is expected to return to action during the upcoming Bangladesh series in September.

Piyush Chawla, the veteran Indian leg-spinner, believes left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is in prime form and ready to make a substantial impact for the Rohit Sharma-led side in their 2024 Men's T20 World Cup semifinal clash against England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday night.After not featuring in Group A matches due to fast-bowling friendly conditions in New York, Kuldeep has yielded fruitful returns to be India's controller of proceedings in the middle overs, picking seven wickets at an average of 10.71, and economy rate of just 6.25 in India's Super Eights games in the Caribbean.With the venue in Guyana expected to aid spinners, Kuldeep is expected to bring his adaptability to the fore and lead India's charge against England through his subtle changes in pace, variations and using the crease well to bamboozle the batters."Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence has been one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Indian cricket. His absence in the 2022 semi-final was a significant miss for India, but this time, he's in prime form and ready to make a substantial impact. Kuldeep's unorthodox left-arm wrist spin and the ability to extract turn and bounce, coupled with his deceptive variations, can be a game-changer in the middle overs," said Chawla, an expert in 'Caught and Bold' show on Disney Hotstar, to IANS.Chawla also noted that Kuldeep has fared well against England on various occasions at the international level. He had also picked a six-fer against England in the Nottingham ODI in 2018, as well as five-fer in the Manchester T20I in the same tour. More recently, he took a five-fer in the final Test at Dharamshala, as India won the series 4-1.Kuldeep also has a good record against England skipper Jos Buttler, who he has dismissed three times in T20s. More recently, in IPL 2024, Kuldeep had trapped Buttler lbw on reverse-sweep during the Delhi Capitals-Rajasthan Royals game at Jaipur in March.In the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup game at Lucknow, the left-arm wrist spinner produced a magic moment when he pitched one outside the off-stump with a flatter trajectory and got the ball to turn sharply by nearly a mile to castle captain Jos Buttler through the gate with precision."He also has a good record playing against England. In the upcoming semi-final, Kuldeep will be crucial in disrupting England's aggressive batting mantra. He will be India's trump card against England's explosive batting order. Given his current form and confidence, Kuldeep Yadav is poised to be a significant threat, making the middle overs a challenging period for England batsmen," added Chawla, a member of India's 2011 ODI World Cup winning team.From England's bowling perspective, leg-spinner Adil Rashid shapes up as a crucial figure in controlling the middle overs. In the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup semi-final meet between England and India at Adelaide, Rashid picked 1-20 in his four overs, including taking out an in-form Suryakumar Yadav, as Buttler & Co won by ten wickets.Chawla reckons Rashid, who has picked nine wickets in the ongoing tournament with his immaculate control on pace and variations, will be an important bowler for England to control the middle overs and put the pressure on India in the highly-anticipated semi-final clash."Adil Rashid has been a crucial component for England in the middle overs. Rashid's variations, including his googly and subtle changes in pace, makes him a formidable threat on the West Indian pitches. In the upcoming semi-final against India, Rashid's role will be pivotal for England to win.""If he can maintain his discipline and keep the pressure on, he could very well be the key for England putting pressure on Indian batsmen. His knack for breaking partnerships is especially valuable in the middle overs, a phase where the game often shifts decisively. England will be counting on Rashid to deliver a spell that not only controls the run flow but also provides breakthroughs at crucial moments," he concluded.

India's exceptional bowling performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has garnered widespread acclaim, with former spinner Piyush Chawla hailing the current lineup as "one of the all-time greats." Chawla emphasized the remarkable transformation of India's bowling attack in recent years, attributing its success to the formidable pace quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya, complemented by the skillful spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Axar Patel.Chawla highlighted the bowlers' resilience in low-scoring encounters, particularly in the crucial clash against Pakistan. "Over the past few years, India's bowling attack has truly transformed," he said. "We now have one of the most complete and formidable bowling units in the world that has provided balance to the side allowing the batsmen with more freedom to play their natural game."Chawla praised the bowlers' ability to step up in crucial moments, citing instances where they outperformed the batters. "There have been many such occasions where our bowlers stepped up and contributed more than our batters," he said. "With the lethal pace quad of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh and top-notch spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel this is surely one of all time great bowling attack of India."India's dominance in Group A, with three wins and a washout against Canada, has earned them a spot in the Super Eight, where they will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia. Their first Super Eight clash will be against Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday, June 20.

Piyush Chawla, the veteran Mumbai Indians (MI) spinner, has expressed his desire to continue playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after his impressive performances in the ongoing edition. Despite going unsold in the IPL 2022 auction, Chawla was picked up by MI ahead of IPL 2023 and has made a significant impact.With 10 wickets in as many games this season, Chawla has been one of the few bright spots for MI, who have already been eliminated from the playoffs race. However, it is unlikely that the franchise will retain him for the IPL 2025 mega auction.When asked about his future in the IPL, Chawla responded with a cheeky remark, leaving journalists in splits. "You tell me, if I should be playing with the way I'm bowling? If you have given your permission, of course I will see you somewhere next time," he said during the post-match press conference.Chawla has played 191 IPL matches for four different franchises, including Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and MI. The 35-year-old surpassed Dwayne Bravo earlier this season to become the second all-time leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 189 wickets. He was part of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2014.In MI's recent match against KKR at the Eden Gardens, Chawla picked up two wickets, but the team ultimately lost in a rain-hit game. Reflecting on the defeat, Chawla acknowledged that MI failed to gain momentum and praised KKR spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine for turning the tide."T20 is about momentum, and we didn't get that momentum right from the beginning. Some days we bowled well, but our batting didn't click, and sometimes our batters did well, but the bowlers ended up leaking runs," he said."As a unit, we have failed in a few games, and we have to accept that as a team. We have a brilliant lineup, but things didn't fall into place. Today also, we started off brilliantly, but that spell of (Sunil) Narine and Varun (Chakravarthy) actually made the difference. You have to give credit to their bowlers," Chawla added.Despite MI's disappointing season, Chawla's performances have been a positive sign for the veteran spinner. He remains hopeful of extending his IPL career and will be looking to make a strong impact in the remaining matches of the season.

Mumbai Indians' dismal IPL 2024 campaign continued on Friday as they suffered an eighth defeat, this time at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a modest target of 170, Mumbai's batting lineup crumbled, with the team eventually bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs. The loss marked KKR's first victory at MI's home ground in 12 years.After the match, Mumbai spinner Piyush Chawla provided an update on former captain Rohit Sharma's fitness. Sharma, who was not included in the playing XI, came out to bat during the chase. Chawla revealed that Sharma had experienced some back stiffness, prompting the team to rest him during the fielding."Rohit Sharma just had a mild back-stiffness so it was a just precautionary thing," Chawla said in the post-match press conference.Reflecting on the defeat, Chawla acknowledged that it was an off day for the team. "If you talk about the wicket, it was good, but sticky at the start and credit goes to KKR bowlers, they bowled really well. Sometimes it happens that things are not going your way and the other team comes and bowls in really good areas. It was just one off day," he added.Chawla emphasized that Mumbai will continue to play with pride and reputation in the remaining matches of the tournament. "We are going to play for our pride and reputation because sometimes you enter the field you never know whether you are going to qualify or not. You have to play for your name and that's what we are playing for," he asserted.Chawla attributed Mumbai's struggles to a lack of momentum. "As a unit, I don't say it is just about batting or bowling, it's just the complete unit. You must have heard that T20 cricket is about momentum and just that we didn't get going into this season. It can happen to any team, it's not that happening to us," he stated.