NEWS
Follow UsYuzvendra Chahal said he is “used to” omissions after being left out of the Indian squad for the 2023 World Cup. The legspinner featured in the 2019 World Cup but has missed two T20 World Cups since then. And he now wants to “move on” from the rejection and focus on red-ball cricket, which is why he flew to England to play a couple of County games for Kent.
“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 (laughs)," Chahal told Wisden India.
Since making his ODI debut in 2016, Chahal has claimed 121 wickets in 69 innings at an average of 27.13 and an economy rate of 5.26. Only Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah have picked up more wickets than him in this period. Chahal is already 33 and it’s highly doubtful he will be available for the next World Cup in 2027.
Chahal has played a lot of white-ball cricket but has featured in only 35 first-class games, picking up 96 wickets at an average of 34.51. That average has surely improved since 2016. In his last 15 games, the leggie has scalped 59 wickets @ 28.6. Even in the two outing for Kent, Chahal took nine wickets.
“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,” added Chahal
“I spoke to the coaches too, and they’re happy I’m playing somewhere, because you can practice as much in the nets, but match is match. I’m getting to play at a very good level here – first division, County – learning a lot here.”
India have three spinners - Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin - in their World Cup squad and Chahal said all this competition helps keep to stay motivated. “I don’t think too much in that sense (on competing with other spinners in the Indian team), 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. 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.”
