Yuzvendra Chahal has played with legendary captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Nevertheless, the Indian leg spinner credits relatively new leader, Sanju Samson, for the most significant bowling change of his career.
Yuzvendra Chahal credits Sanju Samson and not MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma for his bowling transformation
Chahal has played under some of the greatest captains Indian cricket has ever seen, but when it comes to real development in his bowling, the leg spinner has pointed to Sanju Samson for transforming his game and pushing him into an entirely new role.
The leg spinner played for India under Dhoni, one of the greatest captains in the world, as well as Rohit and Kohli. However, Chahal played most of his international and IPL cricket under Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and became one of the most successful spinners in the world.
Nevertheless, his bowling changed dramatically after his move to Rajasthan Royals in 2022. Under Samson, Chahal was trusted in situations where spinners are rarely used.
Death-over change led by Sanju Samson
Before 2022, death overs were never a part of Chahal’s role, but the former Rajasthan Royals captain saw something different in him and asked him to be ready to bowl in the toughest phase of the innings. And Chahal became one of the lethal death bowlers in the IPL.
Yuzvendra Chahal on Mashable India Podcast In the death, in 2022, I got 14 or 15 wickets, I think my cricket improved by 2%.
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How Samson’s faith opened up a new side of Yuzvendra Chahal
This new responsibility helped Chahal to grow as a cricketer. He believes his overall game improved because he was challenged to do something he never thought was possible. Bowling in the death overs forced him to think better, perform better and rely on his skills under pressure.
The spinner further said, “I don’t think I will ever be able to bowl in the death. Because no one bowls to the spinner in the death. I think this is the first time in the 2022 IPL that a spinner has started bowling death.”
A major reason behind this change was the calm and supportive leadership style of Sanju Samson. Samson gave complete freedom to Chahal with the ball.
Also read: ‘Rohit Sharma is elderly, so…’: Yuzvendra Chahal breaks silence on India legend’s violent actions
Chahal said, “I call him (Sanju) Chintu. He is my Chintu Bhai. I think he is very calm. He used to tell me, Yuji, you don’t need to explain. You have played enough. If anything happens, I will tell you. These are your 4 overs. Whatever you want to bowl, you bowl.”
Sanju Samson is amazing. Under his guidance I became a better bowler. Till then no captain used to bowl to spinners in the death overs. Sanju made me a death overs bowler and I took the most wickets in the death overs. He will not bother you and will allow you to bowl as you wish – Yuji pic.twitter.com/7TgSgIwdyc
– 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗨 (@Brutu24) 10 January 2026
66 wickets, a purple cap: Yuzvendra Chahal’s royal takeover
Yuzvendra Chahal had performed brilliantly for Rajasthan Royals. In just three seasons, he has become the most successful bowler in the history of the franchise. In 45 IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals, Chahal has taken 66 wickets at an impressive average of 19.66 and an economy rate of 7.90.
The 2022 season was especially memorable for Chahal. He finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker and won the Purple Cap after taking 27 wickets. This was the best season ever by any spinner for Rajasthan Royals and also the most wickets taken by any spinner for the team in an IPL season.