Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has said that the upcoming Asian Games and World Cup 2023 are not on his mind. The spinner stated that he understands why Kuldeep Yadav is being preferred over him in ODIs, and he’ll not lose sleep over his unselection for the multi-nation tournaments. In the recent IND vs WI ODI series, Chahal missed all three ODIs while Kuldeep played all three. Left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel also played in the ODI series, and Chahal was the only spinner to miss out. The Haryana spinner, however, played the first T20I at the Brian Lara Stadium and picked up two scalps in a game that India lost by four runs.
“Team combination is our priority and it is not something new. At 7 we generally play Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel. Three spinners can only play if the wickets are spin-friendly,” said Chahal ahead of the second T20.
“Kuldeep (Yadav) is bowling really well, he is in a great rhythm and that’s why team is backing him. I keep working on nets so that whenever I get the chance I will grab it,” the leg-spinner added.
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The focus is on ODIs ahead of the World Cup 2023 at home in October-November but Chahal has not been able to get a game since January.
However, the 33-year-old is happy as long he gets to be part of the squad, “We are professional cricketers. I was playing after two months, last I played was in the IPL. It is all about the preparation. This is not an individual sport, you are playing here for your team.” said the leg spinner
Yuzvendra Chahal said that instead of thinking about missed chances, he considers himself lucky to be wearing the India Blues.
“I am very happy that I am getting to wear the blue jersey everyday. I am not sitting at home. I am travelling with the team. I am part of the team.
“I have played chess, it is an individual game but cricket is a team sport. Out of fifteen people in the squad only eleven can play,” he added.
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