Yuzvendra Chahal, the renowned Indian leg-spinner, has once again found himself excluded from the ODI World Cup squad. Despite being among the top Indian leg spinners of recent times, Chahal has missed out on the World Cup selection for the third time in a row. Previously, he was omitted from the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE and did not feature in any matches during the 2022 edition of the tournament, despite being selected.
In a conversation with Wisden from England, Chahal expressed his resignation to the situation, stating that being dropped had become a recurring part of his cricketing journey. "I understand that only fifteen players can be a part of the squad because it's a World Cup, where you can't take 17 or 18," Chahal remarked.
He went on to say, "I do feel a little disheartened, but my life motto is to move on. I'm used to it now... it's been three World Cups (laughs)," Chahal added with a touch of humor. Chahal, who represents the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, explained that he decided to play County Cricket in England because he didn't want to remain idle.
"That's why I came here [to Kent] to play because I want to be on the cricket field somehow, somewhere," Chahal explained. "I'm getting an opportunity here with the red ball, and I'm genuinely eager to represent India in Test cricket. So, it has been a valuable experience for me," he added.
The Indian team has opted for three spinners in their World Cup squad, including Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and R Ashwin, who was a late addition, replacing Axar Patel. Among these, Kuldeep is expected to be India's preferred choice due to the uniqueness of his style.
Reflecting on his County Cricket experience, Chahal expressed his satisfaction with playing top-flight cricket in England and emphasized his aspiration to represent India in Test cricket.
"I've spoken to the coaches too, and they are pleased that I'm actively playing somewhere because as much as you practice in the nets, nothing quite matches the experience of a match. I'm gaining invaluable experience here, playing at a high level – in the first division of County Cricket," Chahal concluded.
