Chahal is a very good bowler: Mushtaq Ahmed

Mushtaq Ahmed is one of the best leg-spinners the world of cricket has ever seen. The Pakistani leggie claimed 346 wickets in 196 matches at the highest level. 

Youth chess champion turned cricketer, Yuzvendra Chahal broke into the international scene after performing incredibly well for the Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). 

Chahal's international career has been a success story having played 94 matches in the limited overs format, the Haryanvi-cricketer has bagged 146 wickets. But, the former Pakistani international Mushtaq Ahmed reckons if Yuzi can elevate his game by using the crease well, it can make him a lethal bowling weapon.

"Chahal is a very good bowler but can use the crease much better. He can go wide of the crease at times. You got to be smart enough to understand pitches. If it is a flat pitch, you can bowl stump to stump," Mushtaq told PTI. 

"If the ball is gripping, you can go wide of the crease because you can trouble even the best of batsmen with that angle. That way your googly also doesn't turn as much as the batsman expects and you end up taking a wicket."

Who isn't fond of good leg spin bowling? Mushtaq, himself among the finest in this genre of bowling speaks about how MS Dhoni's presence behind the stumps has helped Chahal and Kuldeep gain experience and with Virat Kohli being their leader, Mushtaq feels India is a strong force to reckon with in all the three formats.

"You have got to be one step ahead of the batsman. You should know your field position as per the batsman's strength. I always say attack with fielders, not with the ball. If you understand that theory, you will always be successful."

"India has become a force to reckon with in all three formats as it uses its bowlers really well. Dhoni was a master at getting the best out of his bowlers in limited-overs cricket and now you have Virat Kohli," he said. 

Mushtaq admits Yuzvendra Chahal along with Kuldeep Yadav, Adam Zampa, and Shadab Khan are keeping the spirit of leg spin bowling alive.

"You need leg-spinners and mystery spinners in your team as they have the ability to take wickets at any stage of the game. I see a lot of them coming through in the next 10-15 years."

"Most batsmen now like playing express pace but with a good leg-spinner in the team, you are always in the game," Mushtaq added.

(With PTI inputs)