How 'chess master' Chahal became Virat Kohli's go-to guy

It's easy to overlook Yuzvendra Chahal. As it is to overlook most RCB bowlers. But Chahal was the second highest wicket-taker in IPL  2016.

Against England, he repeatedly bowled in the power play, struck early blows, and ended up with the best-ever bowling figures by an Indian in a T20I (and the third best ever) – 6/25.

He was on the verge of a hat-trick twice in the series.

For Chahal, cricket is not just a game, it’s a game of chess.

Rook Rook Rook - Stop Stop Stop (in Hindi) and also the Castle in Chess (from Persian).

Also read: Why you should treat yourself to Virat Kohli

Soon, comparisons of Virat Kohli with Virat Kohli will start. How a bearded Virat Kohli compares to a clean shaven Virat Kohli. Or how a single Virat compares to a hitched Virat. Virat as captain vs Virat as a player. Virat with new tattoo, y'kno that kinda thing.

Not as if we'll forget about Sachin but the whole comparison thing will die out. We'll remain in the Kohli.

2016 has been that kind of year. And December, 10th, that kind of day. He crossed 500 runs in the series, he crossed 2000 runs as Test captain, he crossed 1000 Tests runs in the year, he crossed 4000 Test runs, he crossed the most international runs by a batsman in 2016, he crossed unseen hurdles, on the field, in the mind - he crossed another Test hundred, remaining not out on 147. He crossed a Test batting average of 50.

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