Yuzvendra Chahal said Heinrich Klaasen and Nicholas Pooran are the most difficult batters he’s bowled to because of their aggressive hitting.
Punjab Kings’ bowler Yuzvendra Chahal named Heinrich Klaasen and Nicholas Pooran as two of the toughest batters he has bowled to in the IPL. The league’s leading wicket-taker highlighted their power, which makes them difficult to contain.
Chahal, however, remains unfazed by a batter’s reputation. He believes that focusing on the name can create unnecessary pressure. Instead, he relies on his skills and mental strength to win battles on the field.
“Heinrich Klaasen is one, Nicholas Pooran another. They have so much power that sometimes even the edges go for sixes. They are the ones who are challenging. I have gone for sixes against them and done well against them too. But, when I bowl, I don’t look at the name,” stated Chahal, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“When you look at their reputation, it will create pressure on you. I have the ball, they have the bat. I have to win the battle. I am not 6’5″ or very broad. Mera sab kuch mind pe hai (my mind is everything for me). I always focus on that,” he added.
Yuzvendra Chahal also no longer worries about bowling on smaller grounds, having adapted to challenging conditions over the years. He believes flatter pitches and more powerful bats have increased the difficulty for bowlers, but experience has helped him handle these challenges.
“Ground dimensions have become a big factor because the wickets are also getting flatter, and bats bigger and powerful. But I love to take challenges. I have bowled at Chinnaswamy for eight years, so the fear of bowling on smaller grounds has gone,” Chahal said.
Punjab Kings will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 25 in Ahmedabad.
