Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal bagged the Purple Cap from Royal Challengers Bangalore counterpart Wanindu Hasaranga by taking a wicket in their win over Lucknow Super Giants in Match 63 of IPL 2022 on Sunday. However, the India leg-spinner cut short any competition between himself and the Sri Lankan spinner for the top spot in the bowling charts.
Chahal took the big wicket of in-form batsman Deepak Hooda, who chased down the Lucknow Super Giant. Hooda had scored 59 off just 39 balls and was keeping LSG’s hopes alive but was dismissed by Chahal when he ran under the wicket to hit a big one.
Chahal took 24 wickets in 13 matches in IPL 2022 and again wore the purple cap after a brief loss. The leg-spinner has continued to shine in the IPL despite not being retained by RCB at the end of last season.
Hasaranga won the Purple Cap for the first time on Friday, May 13, when he picked up two wickets in a 54-run defeat against Punjab Kings.
Chahal said that whenever Hasranga or his wrist-spin teammate Kuldeep Yadav takes a wicket, he is happy. Kuldeep has taken 18 wickets in 12 matches for Delhi Capitals in the IPL this season after some tough years with Kolkata Knight Riders.
“Whatever he is doing, I am happy for him because he is like a brother to me. If he takes wickets, if Kuldeep takes wickets, I am happy with him,” Chahal said.
a little disappointed
Further, Chahal said that he was not very happy with his bowling performance despite taking key opposition wickets. The leg-spinner conceded 42 runs in 4 overs.
However, his spin partner R Ashwin made up for it, finishing with figures of 1/24 in his 4-over spell.
“We needed that win. To be in the top two, we had to win this match. I was a little disappointed with myself but I will definitely be back in the next game.”
“When Hooda was batting so well, the leg-side was short, I didn’t want to take any risk. I tried to bowl a couple of deliveries, he tried to hit sixes, so I didn’t want to give any extra. Runs,” Chahal said.