Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has said that playing chess has helped him learn the value of patience through the years.
Before deciding to play cricket, the spinner was a teenage chess player. In the past, Chahal has competed for India in the World Youth Chess Championship.
Chahal has been one of the most successful bowlers for India in the last 10 years, becoming India's leading wicket-taker of all time in T20 internationals.
MORE: Bet on cricket matches from India
Yuzvendra Chahal credits chess for becoming the bowler he is today
Currently in Dubai as the ambassador of SG Alpine Warriors in the Global Chess League, Chahal shed light on his days as a chess player and how it helped him improve as a bowler over the years.
“My first jerseys came from playing chess, and the sport has taught me patience over the years. And that helps me in my cricket because sometimes you may bowl well but not get a wicket, and it is then that patience is really needed.”
MORE: Where will India play if they reach World Cup semi-final?
Yuzvendra Chahal states similarities between chess and cricket
Chahal also touched upon the similarities between chess and cricket.
"Chess and cricket are similar, but in cricket, you can show your aggression. In chess, you can’t. It is all about how calm you are in chess. For example, if I am bowling, I can say something to the batter, but in chess, you must stay calm and focused. And it will eventually help you in your life as well.”
He was also asked if there was any player in the Indian dressing room that managed to beat him at chess.
“In the Indian team, there is no one who can beat me (laughs). Sometimes I play with R Ashwin, and then there is Shanker Basu, our trainer, with whom I used to play. We used to play quite a bit during the flights and when we were travelling. I play chess sometimes during the journey before a game as it helps make me calm. And especially during the flights, I play chess.”
