IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma, Zaheer Khan back Piyush Chawla’s role in Mumbai Indians

Veteran leg spinner Piyush Chawla is set to be play a key
role in defending champions Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2021 campaign, opined several key
figures in the MI squad and management on Thursday, further adding that Chawla’s
experience would help him mentor young spinners in the team.

The Mumbai-based franchise bolstered their spin department
with the inclusion of Chawla in the auctions of IPL 2021, where they picked him
up for a price tag of Rs 2.40 crore.

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“I have played with Piyush since U-19 days. And I know,
he is a very attacking bowler, which is something that we wanted in our spin
bowling department.

He was a good buy, to get him into our squad, one of the highest
wicket-takers in the IPL. Played a lot of games in the IPL. He knows the
format, he knows the oppositions, he knows the players”, Mumbai Captain Rohit
Sharma was seen saying in a video posted on the team’s official Twitter handle.

Chawla, on the other hand, appreciated the defending champions
picking him up.

“I am quite happy and excited because you want to be a
part of a team which is a defending champion and has done so well in the IPL,
so it’s really nice,” he said.

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Former team India pacer and Mumbai Indians Director of
Cricket Operations Zaheer Khan, on the other hand, hoped Chawla’s presence
would help groom the young talent in Rahul Chahar.

“We value his experience very highly. We have Rahul
Chahar also in the team, who is an upcoming, young talent. The experience of
Piyush Chawla is surely going to help him as well,” Khan said.

Mumbai Indians will be starting their IPL 2021 journey on April
9 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.