Inside the Rajasthan Royals Camp: R Ashwin Recounts Yuzvendra Chahal’s Unlikely Ambition to Open the Batting
During a recent broadcast appearance, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared amusing behind-the-scenes details regarding his former Rajasthan Royals teammate Yuzvendra Chahal. Despite being primarily known as a specialist leg-spinner, Chahal frequently lobbied the team management for an opportunity to open the batting in the Indian Premier League.
The Under-19 Century Claim
Speaking on JioCinema’s commentary panel, Ashwin detailed how Chahal attempted to justify his promotion up the order. According to Ashwin, Chahal cited an alleged century he scored during his Under-19 playing days as proof of his batting capability.
“Chahal once told me that he used to bat during his U19 days and even claimed to have scored a hundred back then,” Ashwin noted. “He said that in a high-pressure situation, if the team needs someone to step up, they should send him in.”
Ashwin maintained a realistic view of his teammate’s batting prowess, questioning his ability to clear the boundary against elite pace attacks featuring bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj. The off-spinner joked that Chahal was more likely to sustain an injury against high-speed deliveries than score rapid runs.
Competition for the Pinch-Hitter Role
Between 2022 and 2024, the Rajasthan Royals periodically utilized Ashwin as a pinch-hitter, promoting him up the batting order to counter specific matchups and protect the middle order. This tactical move often prompted playful jealousy from Chahal.
“We spent three seasons together at the Rajasthan Royals. I have noticed that wherever he goes, he keeps asking to open the batting,” Ashwin explained. “I remember padding up because RR used to send me up the order. But Chahal would walk up and tell me to take the pads off because he wanted to go out to bat instead.”
Yuzvendra Chahal’s Career Batting Record
While Chahal remains the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, his batting statistics reflect his status as a conventional number eleven. A look at his career numbers demonstrates why the Rajasthan Royals management declined his requests to open the innings.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Premier League | 160 | 29 | 43 | 8* | 41.34 |
| T20 Internationals | 80 | 6 | 6 | 3* | 37.50 |
Key Takeaways from the Ashwin-Chahal Dynamic
- Role clarity: Rajasthan Royals utilized R Ashwin’s superior technique for top-order pinch-hitting duties during the 2022-2024 IPL seasons.
- Self-belief: Chahal maintained high confidence in his batting, using his junior cricket records to lobby for top-order opportunities.
- Pace concerns: Teammates expressed genuine safety concerns regarding Chahal facing express pace bowlers exceeding 140 km/h without proper top-order batting technique.