Yuzvendra Chahal Reacts To World Cup 2023 Snub, Says 'I Do Feel Bad, But I’m Used To It Now'

The 33-year-old India National Cricket Team leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has reacted to his ICC World Cup 2023 snub, saying that although he feels bad, he is used to it now because of missing three consecutive World Cups.

Chahal is regarded as one of the best spinners in India and he mostly plays for the side throughout the years but somehow ends up missing out on the mega-events. He has bagged 121 ODI wickets for India since his debut in June 2016 and has been India’s third-highest wicket-taker during this period.

However, due to his dip in form and the emergence of Kuldeep Yadav, he wasn’t picked in the squad for both the 50-over Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

India decided to go with Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel as three spinners for the World Cup. However, Ravichandran Ashwin was named as the last-minute replacement in the squad as Axar Patel was unable to recover from his injury.

Coming back to Yuzvendra Chahal, in an interview with Wisden India, the leg-spinner said that he is disappointed after being ignored for the World Cup, but will move on.

“I understand that only fifteen players can be a part, because it’s a World Cup, where you can’t take 17 or 18,” Chahal told Wisden India.

“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). ”

Notably, Yuzvendra Chahal wasn’t picked for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, but he made it to the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, where he didn’t get the opportunity to play.

If I am part of the team or not, they are like my brothers – Yuzvendra Chahal on Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin

After being ignored by the BCCI selection committee, Chahal signed up with Kent to play three games of the County Championship, where he has done well so far by registering figures of 3/63 & 2/43 and 2/70 & 2/70 in two matches. He also expressed his desire to represent India National Cricket Team in Test cricket.

“That’s why I came here [at Kent] to play because I want to play cricket somewhere, somehow,” Yuzvendra Chahal said.

“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.

“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.”

During the same interview, Yuzvendra Chahal was asked about competing for a spot with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin, to which he responded that they are like his brothers and he doesn’t think about competing because he knows he will get picked in the team if he keeps performing consistently.

“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,” Yuzvendra Chahal said. “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 [team]. I like the challenge: it tells me I need to work hard so that I come back,” Yuzvendra Chahal told Wisden India.