Decoding Yuzvendra Chahal's numbers against KKR in IPL
What's the story
Yuzvendra Chahal's spin prowess has been one of the determining factors in Rajasthan Royals' (RR) conquests in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
RR are currently seated fifth with six points (NRR of +0.389).
A comprehensive win over a lately struggling KKR would lift RR to the second spot in the standings.
We decode Chahal's numbers against KKR in IPL.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Chahal has been a gem of a player for the Rajasthan Royals.
Having said that, he has always been a match-winner in a tournament as intense as IPL.
His performance with RCB is a testimony to the same.
This season, Chahal has looked his regular best on the wicket-taking front.
Against a dangling KKR, Royals would be banking on a lip-smacking show from Chahal.
Match-ups
Chahal vs Russell, Rana, and Shreyas
As per Cricketpedia, Chahal has been whacked for 80 runs off 37 deliveries by Andre Russell.
Also, the former has got him out just once in IPL.
Chahal has had success against Nitish Rana (four dismissals). He has conceded 56 runs off 51 deliveries.
Lastly, Chahal has conceded 72 runs off 51 deliveries against Shreyas Iyer.
He is yet to dismiss the latter.
Vs KKR
Chahal eyes the 20-wicket mark against KKR
Chahal has claimed 19 wickets in 18 IPL matches versus KKR.
He averages 26.68 and has an economy of 7.68.
He ranks below Bhuvneshwar Kumar (29), R Ashwin (23), Dwayne Bravo (21), Lasith Malinga (20), and Chris Morris (20) among the highest wicket-takers versus KKR.
In the middle overs, he has pocketed 17 wickets at 22.11 against KKR (most scalps by any player).
IPL 2022
How has Chahal fared in IPL 2022?
Chahal is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the season so far.
He has picked 12 wickets in five matches at 11.33.
He shares the spot with SRH pacer T Natarajan who averages 17.33.
Chahal has bowled at an economy of 6.80.
His inning-wise performance this season read 3/22 (vs SRH), 2/26 (vs MI), 2/15 (vs RCB), 4/41 (vs LSG), and 1/32 (vs GT).
IPL
A look at Chahal's notable numbers in IPL
Chahal has scalped 151 wickets in 119 IPL matches.
He averages 21.41 with three four-fers to show.
He has bagged five Player of the Match awards, with the most recent versus LSG (4/41).
Notably, Chahal (121) is second only to fellow leg-spinner Amit Mishra (135) among most wickets taken during middle-overs in IPL.
His career-best figures (4/25) came against PBKS in Bengaluru in 2016.