The way England batted gives us an advantage, says Yuzvendra Chahal

"We have not discussed (bowling strategy), but the way they batted in the previous game gives a plus point to the bowlers as they were trying to hit each and every ball. I got hit for a six on the first ball and then I got a wicket (of Roy). You have got six balls while the batsman has just one ball. You have to plan accordingly because T20 is such a quick format where you have to be on your toes always as you don't what will happen next," said the Haryana spinner in the media interaction yesterday.

Chahal, who bowled 4 economical overs in Kanpur, said he remained confident even as the English batsmen went after the bowlers because that also gave the bowlers a chance to pick up wickets. He took the wickets of openers Jason Roy and Sam Billings, getting both of them bowled after the pair had got England off to a quick start while chasing India's 147.

Chahal said that the big ground in Nagpur would allow him to use flighted deliveries much more liberally. 

The VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur, where the second T20I against England will be held, is one of the largest grounds in the country. The 75-yard boundary is at least 10 yards longer than the boundary at Green Park in Kanpur, which hosted the first T20I. With stronger players and bigger bats these days, it's not uncommon to see mishits and leading edges flying to boundaries, especially in smaller grounds. In larger grounds, though, these generate a lot of catching opportunities on the boundary. 

"Big ground makes a difference. You can flight the ball. Also there's a doubt in batsmen's mind as to which ball to hit and he will have to make a choice. In a small ground, batsman can try hitting every ball, but here he has to pick and choose," the 26-year-old said. 

Playing his first match after the Zimbabwe series last year, Chahal admitted to being nervous in the beginning but soon found his rhythm after bowling the first over.

This was my first series after the tour of Zimbabwe, and that too at home. I was a bit nervous at the start. After bowling the first over I gained confidence. Playing in India, the ground is always full and there is pressure of the home crowd, but things became better although I was a bit nervous in the beginning.

And the results were for everyone to see, after getting hit for a six first ball, Chahal came back strongly, picking up Jason Roy off the very next ball and Sam Billings later in the same over, ending his spell with figues of 2 for 27. He maintained he does not have a single fixed strategy for every match and his plans change according to the match situation. "My aim is to bowl stump-to-stump. It will be based on situation and the wicket when I come to bowl, which side of the ground is bigger"

Things haven't been easy for Chahal, who is the third choice spinner in the Haryana Ranji side, after Amit Mishra and Jayant Yadav. This means he didn't play a lot of Ranji Trophy matches last year in the past. But with both the preferred spinners playing for India for the past few months, Chahal got his opportunity this year.

"Ranji Trophy is an important tournament. I had never played so many matches in the past, but this time Mishybhaiya (fellow-Haryana leggie Amit Mishra) and Jayant (Yadav, also from Haryana) were playing for India. So, I had a chance to grab.

"I had a good performance in seven matches. After Zimbabwe, I played for India A and then DY Patil (T20 tournament) and I came here (for T20 series against England). So I was playing regularly,” he said.