Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced his opinion on the exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal from the World Cup squad. Chahal, a seasoned leg-spinner, missed out on selection for the tournament as the Indian team management opted for Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. Over the past couple of years, the 33-year-old has faced sporadic inclusion and omission from the side. Although he was part of the T20 World Cup squad last year, Chahal did not get the opportunity to play a single match Down Under, as India’s campaign ended in the semi-finals.
Expressing his perspective, Harbhajan Singh believes that Chahal remains India’s premier spinner in white-ball cricket and that a few subpar performances should not undermine his abilities.
“One aspect I believe the team lacks is the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal. A leg-spinner capable of extracting turn. When it comes to genuine spinners, I don’t think there is anyone better in India than Chahal in white-ball formats. Yes, he has had a few off games recently, but that doesn’t define him as a poor bowler,” Harbhajan expressed on his YouTube channel.
Harbhajan Singh expressed optimism that Chahal will make a comeback into the team, particularly with the World Cup scheduled to take place in India.
“I think his presence within the team was crucial. I hope the door isn’t closed for him. Considering the upcoming World Cup is set to happen in India, it is important to contemplate his inclusion. Chahal possesses a track record of being a match-winner. While I understand his form hasn’t been ideal, leading to his rest, I believe that had he been with the squad, his confidence would have remained intact. Whenever a player stages a return after being dropped, there’s always pressure to perform,” Harbhajan added.
Chahal’s performance in the T20I series against the West Indies was underwhelming, as he managed to secure just five wickets in an equal number of matches and conceded runs in the last three encounters.