MUMBAI: Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who has been in sensational form for Mumbai Indians this season, took time out for an interview with TOI.
Excerpts...
It was unfortunate that I missed out last season. I didn’t like it. You are always disappointed when you are not picked. At that time too, I was among the top five wicket-takers in IPL history. I opted for commentary because I didn’t want to just sit at home. After that, I put in the hard yards. I wanted to play the IPL. I didn’t know who would pick me but I was sure I’d be picked.
What’s the secret to your successful comeback this season?
I just didn’t think too much and played a lot of cricket. Not red-ball cricket but a few white-ball tour -naments. I just wanted to stay in the groove and play in different conditions.
You have surprised a lot of people by picking so many wickets...
Well, nobody is shocked, at least among the people who know me well. I am someone who never likes to quit. If people are shocked, I don’t know what they think. It’s not like I’m picking up a wicket for the first time. I’m in the top three wicket-tak -ers of all time now, so it means that I have done something right in my 14-15 years of playing in the IPL.
With 174 scalps in 176 matches, what has worked well for you?
I am just following the basics and backing my strength. I just make sure to focus on things that are in my con -trol, rather than thinking about an -yone else’s weaknesses. My focus is always to work on my strengths and keep repeating that process.
Which has been your best spell in the IPL this season?
The one against KKR (at the Wankhede Stadium on April 16) be -cause the wicket wasn’t that easy. They scored 185 and we chased it down in 17.4 overs. That gives you an idea of how (flat) the pitch was. In that game, I bowled four overs for 19-odd runs and picked up a wicket while bowling one over in the Powerplay and one over later on. That’s my favourite spell.
What are your plans for the future?
At MI, I have got a free hand from Rohit. He told me: “You are experienced enough to know what to do, so do that. I am always here to support you and you just go and play freely.”
Another leg-spinner who is doing really well is Amit Mishra. Is this IPL bringing leg-spin back in focus?
Leg-spinners have always done really well in the IPL and if you talk about Amit bhai, he has done wonders in IPL and I don’t know why he was also not picked last year, just like me. We both are back taking wickets and we are enjoying each others’ bowling.
