“You are playing a match”

Veteran T20 World Cup 2024 winner Yuzvendra Chahal has shared some intriguing insights into how he made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2013 under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Although Chahal was picked up by the franchise in 2011, he had to wait until the 2013 season to get his first opportunity in the tournament.

In an interaction with Mashable India, posted on his YouTube channel on Saturday, January 10, Chahal recalled the events of the 2013 season when Rohit Sharma took over as captain midway through the tournament after Ricky Ponting resigned. He revealed that before Rohit’s first match as captain, the MI skipper had personally informed him that he would play the next match.

Chahal then made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on April 24. He finished with figures of 0/34 from four overs as Mumbai Indians managed a target of 160 to secure a five-wicket victory. Chahal shared:

“When Rohit Bhaiya became captain, at that time Ricky Ponting sir had resigned. Then Rohit Bhaiya became captain and we had a match in Kolkata. Rohit Bhaiya walked into the room and I said, ‘Bhaiya, congratulations.’ He said, “Thank you, thank you and you play the match” (Tu match khel raha hai). I said, “What match?” He said, “Tomorrow’s match, (Tera captain bhai hai aur tu khelra hai), “Your brother is the captain and you are playing. » I think it was the first time that three spinners played in Calcutta. That’s when I made my debut.

In the same interaction, Chahal also revealed that he got an opportunity to play in the 2011 T20 Champions League due to limited availability of players at the time. He then featured in six matches, taking three wickets, as Mumbai Indians clinched the title by defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final. He said:

“In 2011, we won the Champions League. At that time, a lot of our players were injured, so I think only 13-14 players were available. That year, I played everything, that is the whole League. Then in 2013, because Bhajji and Ojha bhaiya were there, playing on the Wankhede pitch with two spinners was enough, and they were such big legends that being the third spinner was very tough. I learned a lot from that.”

Meanwhile, his debut in 2013 against KKR remains Chahal’s only appearance for MI in IPL history.

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“I think this experience has polished me” – Yuzvendra Chahal on spending three seasons with MI in the IPL

Yuzvendra Chahal was part of MI from 2011 to 2013 in the IPL, making only one appearance during this period. However, during the same interaction, the 35-year-old explained that these seasons proved invaluable in shaping his understanding of the game, which he was able to put into practice when he got the opportunity to play regularly for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the IPL 2014. He said:

“For three years, I think I trained and improved. I learned a lot in the IPL. Even though I wasn’t always playing, I was playing in the nets all the time. I also made a lot of friendships there, especially with Andrew Symonds, sir. The IPL has so much pressure. The first time you see that many people in the stands, it’s overwhelming. Watching those situations helped me a lot, especially in learning how to play. bowling. I think that experience polished me, and then in 2014, RCB gave me my opportunity.

Chahal is currently the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with 221 scalps to his name in 174 matches, and will feature for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2026 season.