ABU DHABI: Three top quality wickets in Rajasthan Royals batsmen Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, and Mahipal Lomror saw Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Yuzvendra Chahal topple Kings XI Punjab pacer Mohammed Shami from the top slot in the wicket-takers' list in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Chahal now has 8 wickets from four games with an economy rate of 7.18 as compared to Shami's eight wickets at an economy of 7.86. Delhi Capitals pacer Kagiso Rabada is third on the list with seven wickets from three games.
Coming back to the RCB-RR game, it wasn't easy playing under the scorching sun and Chahal said that the heat and the humidity made conditions really tough for all those out in the middle.
"It is very humid. Playing after six months in this humidity. We thought they would get 170 but restricting them to 155 is good," he told the host broadcasters during the mid-innings break.
Despite the heat, Chahal was brilliant with the ball as he finished with figures of 3/24 from his four overs. Asked about his own performance, Chahal said he was happy with how he has been bowling in the IPL.
"I'm very happy with the way the ball has been coming out from my hand. When I came to bowl in the third over, I realized that it's a slow wicket and didn't go to my googlies a lot," he pointed.
Asked about a smart catch to dismiss Samson of his own bowling, Chahal said: "I realised that I'm dropping a few in international cricket, so I'm working on it (catching). I dropped 8 to 10 catches in the beginning so I am working."
Chahal might have taken the Purple Cap from Shami, but his eyes are set on the trophy which has eluded RCB in the 13 years. "Not worried about the Purple Cap, the whole team is just focused on winning the trophy for RCB. One boundary is a bit shorter at one end, so bowling from that side will be tougher. We need a good partnership at the beginning," he said.