IPL 2023: “I wanted to play the game and do something special for my son,” says Piyush Chawla

With 176 wickets, Piyush Chawla is the third-highest wicket-taker of all time in the IPL.

Piyush Chawla, a seasoned Indian spinner who is currently playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL 2023), revealed on Friday that his revival in the current season means a lot not only because it marks his comeback, but also because he wanted to play for his six-year-old son, who has never seen him play at the highest level.

Chawla turned to commentary in the IPL 2022 after failing to secure an offer in the super auction last year. However, the 34-year-old put in a lot of work with Gujarat in domestic cricket, winning 16 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophies.

Piyush Chawla won an IPL contract with Mumbai Indians in the mini-auction in December 2022 as a consequence. He has 19 wickets from 12 games this season, which puts him third on the list of highest wicket-takers in IPL 2023.

"Well, I just wanted to make a comeback because that urge was there to play. Earlier, I never used to go to all the camps, but this year I attended all the camps. Gujarat Cricket Association helped me a lot, and Parthiv Patel helped me a lot. After that, I played in all the tournaments, DY Patil, Mushtaq Ali, and Vijay Hazare. I wanted to bowl in the matches, at the nets I have bowled enough," said Chawla in an interaction with JioCinema after the match.

I wanted to play for my son as well because he had not seen me playing: Piyush Chawla

At the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, May 12, Piyush Chawla returned with a few wickets, including a spectacular googly to remove Vijay Shankar as Mumbai Indians successfully defended the score of 218 against Gujarat Titans.

"It means a lot (this season) because it's not only about the comeback. I wanted to play for my son as well because he had not seen me playing. When he saw me, he was too young. Now he has started understanding it better although he is still 6. But he really follows the game and understands the game. So I really wanted to play the game and do something special for him. He reviews the game immediately after the game. He sits with me or over a phone call. He is my biggest critic." the veteran leg-spinner told JioCinema.

He is enjoying his best IPL season ever at the age of 34. He is the third-highest wicket-taker this season. Piyush last represented India in 2012. With 176 wickets, he is the third-highest wicket-taker of all time in IPL.