IND vs IRE: "Yuzvendra Chahal Is Not Being Used Properly" - Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra wasn’t amazed by the use of Yuzvendra Chahal in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies. He said that skipper Hardik Pandya is not giving him overs, which he enjoys and with the way the captain is using him, things will be difficult for him. 

Yuzvendra Chahal had a horrendous outing in the series-decider fifth T20I against West Indies in Florida. He was taken to the cleaners and looked under a lot of pressure after Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King attacked him. 

Yuzvendra Chahal conceded 51 runs in his four overs and failed to make an impact, which probably was one of the main reasons behind India losing the game and the series to West Indies for the first time in 17 years. 

It’s fair to say that Yuzvendra Chahal bowled some tough overs as he was first introduced in the powerplay and then came during the fag end of the innings. It’s also fair to say that captain Pandya hasn’t utilised him well as even in the second game after picking wickets at a crucial stage he wasn’t given the ball again. 

Aakash Chopra pointed out that the leg-spinner shouldn’t be bowled in the powerplay as after conceding runs there, he looks to improve his analysis. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained: 

“Yuzi Chahal once again bowled an over in the powerplay. You can say that Yuzi Chahal is senior and should bowl in the powerplay but he can’t do that. Don’t judge a fish on his ability to climb a tree. A fish’s job is to swim, someone else has the job to climb a tree. 

“So if the fish is unable to climb the tree, why are you judging him? That’s what is happening. You get Yuzi Chahal to bowl his first over in the powerplay which goes for 12-15 runs. Then the bowler ends up looking to improve his analysis. Then he doesn’t flight the ball.”

IND vs IRE: You want Kulcha to play together, but if you don’t use Kul-Cha properly, Kul will remain but Cha will go – Aakash Chopra 

Aakash Chopra further while pointing out that leg-spinners are captain’s bowlers said that if India want to play Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal together they must use them properly and if it doesn’t happen then the latter will not play. He elaborated: 

“He used to come and pick up wickets in the 17th or 18th over but you are not giving him those overs. Leg-spinners are captain’s bowlers. So if the captain gets them to bowl at the right stage, their stature grows, and if not, their stature falls drastically. 

“It’s a catch-22 situation. You want Kulcha to play together, but if you don’t use Kul-Cha properly, Kul will remain but Cha will go. Kul is bowling very well. Kul will play both ODIs and T20Is but it will become difficult for Cha and it is only because he is not being used properly.” 

Yuzvendra Chahal picked five wickets in five games at an average of 9.05 whereas Kuldeep Yadav was at his exceptional best as he bagged six wickets at an economy rate of 5.75 in four games.