The 'Pushy' Chawla comeback trail reaches Lucknow

Piyush Chawla, the Uttar Pradesh-born player, is set to play his maiden game at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, the state's latest international venue. He is excited already. Not so much by playing in front of his "home crowd" despite donning the Mumbai Indians jersey as by the prospect of a spin-friendly track that Lucknow has consistently promised in IPL 2023.

"After bowling at Wankhede, I'm excited (to bowl) everywhere," he candidly remarked on Tuesday ahead of MI's game against Lucknow Super Giants.

Chawla has been the lynchpin of Mumbai Indians' bowling attack that has been hampered by the absence of the injured Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer. It's almost like a second coming for the veteran legspinner, who despite dominating in the tournament over the years, found himself out of favour among the franchises last season.

"To be very honest, I don't even have a reason why I missed out last year," he opened up. "I didn't see a reason to miss out. But that's all a part of life. Ups and downs are always there. Looking at the IPL last year, with all that was happening with spin, I knew a call was just around the corner. So I was working on the normal stuff and here are the results in front of you."

12 games and 19 wickets down in IPL 2023, he confessed, "I made a comeback for my son".

Chawla was nicknamed 'Pushy' by his Sussex teammates when he had joined the County side to fill the void left by club legend Mushtaq Ahmed. Not that the nickname had any other connotation besides rhyming with that of another overseas legspinner 'Mushy', but Chawla was forced to live up to it 13 years later while dabbling with a commentary gig for the IPL broadcasters.

"Last year when I wasn't picked in the IPL, a lot of thoughts were running in my mind. So I couldn't understand - whether I should be playing or should I explore other avenues. But my kid is growing up and understanding a lot of things. He used to watch IPL and used to get excited. So my family told me, 'just push one more yard and try playing'. So I'm playing for him and putting in those efforts.

In a way, Chawla's career has been one that probably hasn't lived up to its promise. Having made his Test debut as an 17-year-old and even finding early success, it failed to take off. He featured in only 35 international games, last of which came in 2012 - when he was 23. Even though he was a part of India's last two World Cup-winning teams (2007 T20 WC & 2011 50-over WC), he barely had a role to play.

In IPL, however, he found success and remains the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history, but didn't have as many breakout seasons as he would've wished. Yet as he traded the mic for the ball this season, he admitted that there wasn't a lot to work on. He has enough confidence in his skills that he's willing to back.

"I didn't do anything special (for the comeback)," he confessed. "If you're playing for 20 years, you don't need to do anything different. You just go and follow the normal routine. I'm a big believer in working on your basics and backing your own strengths. I was going and playing whatever T20 matches I was getting to play. I'm someone who is kind of done with bowling in the nets. I want to bowl in matches and see that challenge."

At 34, he is seen as a veteran even though he's likely to come face-to-face with another senior leggie in the opposite camp, Amit Mishra - who has enjoyed a similar second wind to his career this season, at the age of 40. But Chawla isn't thinking there is any lack of motivation in his career as yet, and wants to keep pushing himself further.

"I've never thought of retirement. If I have my way, I'll play for 10 more years. Till the time everything is flowing smoothly, till I think I can help the team and I can give my best, I'll keep pushing myself."

For now, he's just content with his performances and happy for the other teammates from his home state, Uttar Pradesh, who are making a mark. "There are a lot of young players (from UP), who are playing for different teams and doing well. I still remember when Rinku had come in (the UP side), I was leading the team. Today, you can see what stage he has reached. Even Kuldeep. When I look at these players who have reached such high levels, it makes me very happy. I hope that the other youngsters also work hard and carry forward the legacy of UP cricket."