From being a crucial part of India’s wrist-spin policy in the 2019 World Cup, Yuzvendra Chahal has seen his career go downhill in the next four years. After carrying water throughout the T20 World Cup, he is not even part of the 15-member squad for the ICC ODI World Cup at home. Instead, the India Cricket Team has picked his best friend Kuldeep Yadav ahead of him apart from veteran Ravichandran Ashwin.
But the leg-spinner is taking the omission to his chin and is looking to move on.
“I understand that only fifteen players can be a part because it’s a World Cup, where you can’t take 17 or 18. I do feel a little bad. But my motto in life is to move on. I’m used to it now… it’s been three World Cups,” Yuzvendra Chahal told Wisden India in an interview.
No ill feelings
This is the third World Cup in a row when Yuzvendra Chahal has not been able to make it to the final XI. While he was entirely snubbed for T20 WC 2021, he could not break into the Playing XI in T20 WC 2022. And now, he has not even been considered for ODI World Cup.
However, he has no ill feelings despite losing the competition to Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“I don’t think too much in that sense because I know if I perform well, I’ll play. Someone or the other will eventually replace you in the future. That time will come someday. I take up the challenge in this way: definitely, they are doing well and I appreciate that. The main goal is that India should win because this is not an individual game,” Yuzvendra Chahal said.
“If I am part of the team or not, they are like my brothers. Obviously, I support India. I like the challenge: it tells me I need to work hard so that I come back,” he added.
Since making his debut in 2016, Yuzvendra Chahal has been India’s third-highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 121 scalps.
Yuzvendra Chahal focuses on Tests
With a place difficult to come by in white-ball formats, Yuzvendra Chahal is now focusing on red-ball cricket. He still has the desire to play in whites for India and with a successful stint at Kent in County Championships, he is hoping to break the door.
“That’s why I came here at Kent to play because I want to play cricket somewhere, somehow. I’m getting a chance here with a red ball, and I seriously want to play red ball for India. So it was a good experience for me. I spoke to the coaches too, and they’re happy I’m playing somewhere, because you can practice as much in the nets. But a match is a match. I’m getting to play at a very good level here – first division, County – learning a lot here,” Yuzvendra Chahal said.
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