When Piyush Chawla dismissed Lalit Yadav with his signature googly in the match vs Delhi Capitals, he achieved an unprecedented feat. He became the first bowler ever to pick 250 wickets in T20s in India. It’s an achievement Chawla is proud of but one he doesn’t want to dwell on too much at this moment with plenty of matches to come.

“It’s been a really good journey. T20s started in India in 2007. It’s been a long journey, but it is always an honour to achieve a feat like this. It is a small milestone that has come my way. I am really enjoying it, but I want to set it aside and focus on the upcoming games,” he says.

A two-time World Cup winner for India (the T20 WC in 2007 and the ODI WC 2011), Chawla is also one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the IPL. “It has been an honour sharing the dressing room with the greats of the game. I have really enjoyed this journey so far,” he says.

With so much experience under his belt, the veteran is happy to make a strong comeback after missing a season in the IPL for the first time last year.

“If you ask me about the goal for this season, last year I was not a part of the IPL. So, the urge was there to make a comeback. I did not want to prove a point to anyone because of what I have done in the IPL over the years. I just wanted to do it for my own self and for my own satisfaction.”

In the four games that Mumbai Indians have played in IPL 2023, Chawla has made his mark. With five wickets, Chawla is MI’s highest wicket taker this season.

His economy rate of 6.25 is also the best in this year’s competition for any bowler who has bowled at least 10 overs. He has played a key role in both of MI’s wins. Against Delhi, he picked three wickets in the middle overs to keep the scoring in check and help limit them to a total of 172. Chawla’s figures of 3/22 were the best in the match. Two of his three wickets came off wrong uns, a ball that has helped him pick plenty of wickets over the years. “I feel if you bowl a good ball, it’s a good ball in any format and for any batter. So I just prepare myself and ensure that I’m going to strengthen what has been helping me out throughout my career. Everybody knows that PC is going to come in and bowl a wrong un, but I still get wickets with my wrong un. I am more than happy doing that.”

In the ESA match against Kolkata Knight Riders, he came to bowl in the Powerplay after the opposition had gotten off to a flier. Chawla struck immediately to dismiss the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz and a sterling economy rate of 4.75 and a crucial wicket.

His goals for the season too are very straightforward. “I’m quite happy with how I have bowled in the previous games but I want to contribute more to the team’s win. We are looking to win a few more games and get more points in our kitty.”

As the most experienced bowler in the team, Chawla has been a sought after senior in the bowling group. His advice to young spinners is simple but effective. “The game has evolved a lot over the years. Earlier, you used to bowl slower as a spinner. I have bowled in that era as well where it was good to bowl slow but now the moment you give a little bit of air, the batter goes after you. It is important now to bowl at the right pace. You have to put enough revs on the ball but you can’t give the batter enough time in the air to go after the ball.”

Mumbai Indians will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next match tomorrow in Hyderabad.