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Cricket has evolved a big time over the years, but quality leg spinners are still a luxury to have in a team. Decades have changed but the impact a leg spinner can have on the game has never changed. Even in the shortest format of the game where bowlers are always on their toes, leg spinners possess the ability to turn the fortunes of their team.
There have been great leg spinners in the history of cricket, but whenever there is a talk about modern-day leg spinners, one name that always pops up is Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan spinner has made a name for himself in the cricket world for his ability to surprise batsmen at any point in time during a match. He is also considered one of the busiest cricketers in the world.
But there is one more bowler who is right up there when it comes to turning things for his team. India's Yuzvendra Chahal may not have a mystery in his bowling, but he is exceptional with the limited resources he has. And former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also believes the same, that if there is anyone right there with Rashid Khan, it is Chahal.
Pathan's comments came while commentating during the IPL 2022 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). Looking at Chahal dominating the RCB batters, Irfan said "Only player who nears Rashid Khan currently is Yuzvendra Chahal."
Notably, Chahal took two important wickets for his team at crucial junctures in the game. He first dismissed the RCB captain, Faf du Plessis who was looking in good touch. He then bamboozled David Willey with his magical delivery which spun a long way. Chahal also affected the run out of Virat Kohli.
The RR leg spinner also bowled an over in the slog overs, when Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed were going hard at the bowlers. But he kept them quiet and gave away only four runs in his last over and finished his four-overs spell on a high. Chahal ended the game with the bowling figures of 4-0-15-2.