Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal continued his impressive form in the English County Championship, claiming a nine-wicket match haul to guide Northamptonshire to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Leicestershire.
Chahal, who had taken 4/82 in the first innings, picked up 5/134 in the second, dismissing key Leicestershire batsmen to restrict them to 316. The visitors then chased down the modest target of 137 in just 30.3 overs, with skipper Luke Procter (68 not out) and George Bartlett (54 not out) guiding them home.
Leicestershire had resumed the final day on 69/4, but Scott Currie and Tom Scriven put up a strong fightback, adding 110 runs for the fifth wicket. Currie reached a century (120) before falling to Chahal, who also dismissed skipper Lewis Hill (14) and Liam Trevaskis (2).
Despite conceding runs during Currie and Scriven’s partnership, Chahal’s persistence paid off as he eventually claimed Currie’s wicket to leave Leicestershire reeling at 303/9. Saif Zaib (2/61) then dismissed Louis Kimber to end the innings.
Chahal’s performance follows his impressive 5/45 and 4/45 in Northants’ 133-run win over Derbyshire in the previous match. The Indian spinner has now taken 14 wickets in just two matches for his new county, showcasing his exceptional skills and ability to adapt to English conditions.
Northamptonshire’s victory moves them up to third place in Division Two of the County Championship, while Leicestershire remain in eighth position.
