The leg-spinner, once considered a prodigy of sorts, had made the cut for the World Twenty20 to be held in the West Indies from April 30.
Piyush Chawla was enjoying a late lunch on Friday. The leg-spinner, once considered a prodigy of sorts, had made the cut for the World Twenty20 to be held in the West Indies from April 30.
Considering that Chawla last played a Test for India in April 2008 and his last one-day appearance was a month later, it was a big day for the Kings XI Punjab and Uttar Pradesh spinner. “It’s been a very difficult period for me. I have not played for India in nearly two years. When you play international cricket at a young age, like I did, and then have to play domestic cricket it is not always easy. You always have one eye on playing for India. But the fact that I wasn’t part of the national team served as a motivation to give my best,” he told DNA on Friday.
Chawla, however, believes he is wiser after playing on the domestic circuit. “It has been a learning experience playing in the Ranji Trophy and also County cricket. Playing on the domestic circuit in India is extremely beneficial, especially for a spinner. I say that because even a No.10 batsman in most teams in Ranji Trophy is comfortable playing against spinners,” Chawla added.
The leg-spinner also said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) was an ideal warm-up for the World Twenty20. “Here you bowl against some of the best batsmen in the world. The level of competition is very high. You have to be at your best to succeed in the IPL. For me, these matches have been great preparation for the World Twenty20. Kings XI Punjab aren’t doing well, so if I can help them turn things around, then nothing like it.”
He credited the wise words from Anil Kumble and Shane Warne. “They always told me that I must continue to enjoy my cricket. I believed that if I worked hard and was focussed I would soon make it back to the Indian team,” he added.
On the challenges of bowling in Twenty20, Chawla said: “It is
important for a spinner to attack. Yes, there are times when you have to be defensive and of course one cannot concede too many runs. But unless a spinner is looking to attack and is looking to take wickets he won’t be successful in Twenty20. It is
important to remain positive in Twenty20.”
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