I wish India would pick him: Warne on Piyush Chawla

BySaketh RVK,SportsCafe Editor

06/06/2016

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Australian legend Shane Warne has backed Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla to get more opportunities to play for India. Although Chawla last played for India in 2012, he has been one of the consistent performers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) taking 120 wickets in 123 matches.

The right-arm leg-spinner began his IPL career by picking 17 wickets in the inaugural season for Kings XI Punjab. Chawla moved to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014 for Rs 4.25 crore and has taken 36 wickets from 36 matches in the last three editions for the Kolkata side. Although his performances went unnoticed with the selectors, Australian legend Shane Warne believes that Chawla deserves to play for the Indian team.

“Piyush Chawla stands out for me in the IPL. I wish India would pick him because I really enjoy watching him bowl,” Warne was quoted as saying by Wisden India.

“I don’t think a lot of batsmen pick him out of the hand and although he might bowl a little bit of buffet stuff at times, mostly he seems to do well. I’d certainly like him in my T20 side,” Warne added.

Warne also expressed his delight in seeing the performances of leg-spinners in the 2016 World T20.

“I was at the World T20 and there were about eight or nine in the tournament who had an impact. It is great to see captains have faith in those leg-spinners – they are not only being picked but getting thrown the ball in tough situations.”

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When most teams went into the World T20 with one or two leg-spinners, India did not pick a single one ignoring Amit Mishra and Chawla.

Warne also named Anil Kumble as the best leg-spinner he has ever faced.

“Given he wasn’t a big turner of the ball, to take 619 Test wickets shows his skill. He thought about the game, had a great strategy, great tactics, and was a real competitor,” Warne was quoted as saying by Wisden India.

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