"Till Sanju Samson, no captain ever.."- Yuzvendra Chahal's massive claim

Aakash Saini

Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson [Source: @HimalayanMailJK/x]Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson [Source: @HimalayanMailJK/x]

Out-of-favor Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal has credited ex-Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson for helping him become a “better bowler”. In a recent interview, the Punjab Kings spinner hailed Samson for revamping his IPL career by making him bowl at the death.

Compatible to Yuzvendra Chahal’s claims, the star Indian spinner did enjoy a lucrative run during his three-year stint with the Rajasthan Royals franchise between the years 2022 and 2024.

Yuzvendra Chahal credits Sanju Samson for becoming successful death bowler

In a candid interview on Mashable India, Yuzvendra Chahal praised ex-Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson. According to Chahal, Samson was one of the first few captains in IPL history to use spinners for the slog overs.

Being the leading Rajasthan Royals spinner at the time, Yuzvendra Chahal was frequently employed at the death, which ended up reaping rich dividends for the star Indian spinner as well as for the franchise.

The 35-year-old added that he gradually became better at death bowling, and picked up quite a few wickets during his three-year stint with Rajasthan Royals under the leadership of Sanju Samson. 

Yuzvendra Chahal said, “Sanju Samson is amazing. Under him I became a better bowler. Till then no captains used to bowl spinners in the death. Sanju made me a death over bowler and I had the most wickets in the death overs. He won't disturb you and allow you to bowl as you like.”

Yuzvendra Chahal IPL career

Yuzvendra Chahal collected 66 wickets for the Rajasthan Royals between the 2022 and 2024 editions of the IPL, including 27 in just 17 innings of IPL 2022. He is also the leading wicket-taker in the history of the IPL with 221 scalps. 

Both Chahal and Sanju Samson have since parted ways to join other franchises for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. While the senior Indian spinner will be reprising his role for the Punjab Kings this year, Samson found a new IPL base at CSK.