There is a high expectation of Yuzvendra Chahal: Simon Katich

Royal Challengers Bangalore will face Mumbai Indians in the opening match on Friday, April 9th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Head Coach Simon Katich spoke on Bold Diaries about the team's key bowler, who has always delivered when it was most needed. Yuzvendra Chahal led RCB's bowling unit in the 2020 season and was instrumental in the team's playoff run.

"The thing you know about senior players is we know they have got a fight for the contest. We know that with him. He [Yuzvendra Chahal] is always buzzing. He is a very skilful bowler and he is also a very smart bowler," Katich said on Bold Diaries.

Chahal finished the UAE edition of the tournament with 21 wickets from 15 matches, completing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker and the only spinner in the top-5 list. Simon Katich lauded the 30-year-old’s efforts for his performances.

"We asked him to be our leading wicket-taker, we got that role for him by balancing the team the way we needed it to. We took a bit of heat off him having to bowl in the powerplay, like he did in the past. He didn't let us down, picking up 21 wickets, he won us a number of games with the ball at critical times,” he added.

High expectation on Yuzi says, Coach Kato

"There is a high expectation of him. We also know there is support around him with our bowling line-up to be able to allow him play that attacking role,” he said.

"Yuzi, he is going to be up for it. Yes, we know, he hasn't played as much cricket as he would have liked but, in a way, after a long season, that might be a blessing in disguise, because we know there are some players that are jaded. I know he will be keen to go out and do well for us," Katich added.

With the upcoming edition of the IPL starting in just four days time, one can expect nothing less from a bowler of Chahal's calibre. He will be vying to be the kingpin of RCB's bowling attack once more.