Yuzvendra Chahal: Mahi bhai and I play PUBG together | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Yuzvendra Chahal: Mahi bhai and I play PUBG together

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Feb 19, 2019 02:46 PM IST

Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal claims he’s shy,yet admires actor Ranveer Singh’s bindaas style.

Indian woman cricketer Smriti Mandhana describes him as an “inspiration” while teammate and right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami describes him as “naughty”. But, right-arm leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal describes himself as “shy” and a “funny kinda” guy.

Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal loves to get inked. He has a tattoo of an anchor and compass, of Shiva, and his zodiac sign, Leo.(Shivam Saxena/HT)
Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal loves to get inked. He has a tattoo of an anchor and compass, of Shiva, and his zodiac sign, Leo.(Shivam Saxena/HT)

 

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The first-ever spinner to take six wickets in an ODI in Australia, Chahal confesses being a “bit nervous” playing in Australia. “After the first over, I realised it was my day,” he laughs. The cricketer says he is motivated by the league of senior players. “Whenever I feel something, I always talk to the senior players — Virat (Kohli) bhaiya, Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai, Rohit (Sharma) bhaiya, Shikhar (Dhawan) bhaiya. They always help me. When Virat bhaiya is not there, I always [speak to] Rohit bhaiya and ask him what to do and what not to do. Mahi bhai and I play PUBG together sometimes (laughs). Seven-eight people play PUBG for two hours. We go for dinners, [have] fun. It’s a big thing to play under Mahi bhai. He was my first captain. Whenever we need help in bowling, Kuldeep (Yadav) and I always ask him.”

 

Our dressing room is very chilled out. It’s a family kinda behaviour...We know when we have to be serious on the field, and when [we can be on the] funnier side

But it’s not the seniors who have changed the shy Chahal to the ‘funny guy’. “I am a shy type of guy. [I’ve become] more confident after doing Chahal TV — I randomly started taking interviews in the bus. Maine waise hi kar diya ki ‘Chahal TV’ pe aapka swagat hai’. Logon ko kaafi pasand aaya, kyunki yeh kaafi hatke hai. Masti bhi kar sakte hain aur cricket ke baare mein bhi pooch sakte hain,” says the 28-year-old Haryana-born cricketer. Chahal TV, videos of his post-match interactions with teammates in his quirky style, are posted on the BCCI’s Twitter handle and website.

 

Chahal loves tattoos and boasts one of an anchor and compass, of Shiva and yet another of his zodiac sign, Leo. “I see [the tattoos] when I feel low,” he says.

While many cricketers are style icons, Chahal draws inspiration from actor Ranveer Singh. “The guy is very bindaas. He never hides what he wants to do. I love his films,” adds Chahal, who was ecstatic about his shoot with the actor’s stylist Nikita Jaisinghani.

Incidentally, Ranveer is playing Kapil Dev in a biopic on the legendary cricketer. And while the film is on the 1983 World Cup win, another World Cup is just around the corner and the spinner with a stellar ODI record is thrilled. “I’m very excited as it will be my first World Cup. In the 50-over format we have the best team. There will be a lot of pressure, as the whole country wants the Cup. But it’s our job to tackle the pressure,” Chahal says.

The cricketer has co-founded India Sport & Women Sports Foundation with an entrepreneur Piyush Sachdeva, to provide support to struggling and economically challenged athletes and help them achieve greater heights. “Ten years back, while playing Ranji Trophy, I didn’t think I’d play for India. The journey has been very nice,” says Chahal, who is also on a personal high. The cricketer has built his “dream house” in Gurugram, where his parents will shift from Jind, Haryana. “I really like the city,” he adds.

Interact with the author on Twitter/@Nainaarora8

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Naina Arora writes on City, Art and Culture of Gurugram, for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement, HT City

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On