IND vs BAN: "It's Not An Individual Game" - Yuzvendra Chahal Opens Up On Not Being Picked In India XI For ICC T20 World Cup 2022

Updated - 10 Dec 2022, 11:44 AM

Yuzvendra Chahal India
Yuzvendra Chahal. Image Credits: BCCI

Team India was knocked out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final in Australia after losing by 10 wickets against England. Yuzvendra Chahal was included in the squad but did not play in any of the matches, leading to criticism of Team India’s selection in the mega event by veterans and experts.

The leg-spinner broke his silence on his exclusion from the Men in Blue playing XI almost a month after his World Cup exit.

The team management persisted with the strategy of keeping the leg spinner on the bench for the entire tournament, picking finger spinners Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. 13 of India’s 15 World Cup squad members played at least one match, and Chahal and fast bowler Harshal Patel were the only two not to play in the marquee event.

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Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal. Image Credits: BCCI

Every Team Has Their Own Set Of Combination – Yuzvendra Chahal

Speaking to India Today, Chahal admitted that he was aware of his exclusion after watching Ashwin and Axar perform well, but decided to keep himself fit for the match.

Rohit Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal and Virat Kohli | GETTY
Rohit Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal and Virat Kohli | GETTY

“It’s not an individual game. Every team has their own set of combination. And then I saw Ashwin and Axar performing well…those things happen in life. I just knew that if get an opportunity I have to be ready and coach and Rohit bhai had clarified that to me,” he said.

Asked about the back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2021 and not being picked in the XI in 2022, Chahal expressed confidence that he will be selected for the 2023 ODI World Cup squad.

He said, “the 50-over World Cup is going to happen next. The last World Cup which I had played, in 2019, was also a 50-over World Cup. I don’t tend to think about all these stuff that much. For me, what matters is playing for India, that is my first goal. Now whether I am picked in the XI or not that is not in my hand. I hope I can continue playing in the same manner, get to play for my country and hope India become the champions in 2023.”

India will take on Bangladesh in the third and final ODI of the three-match series, which will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chaudhary Stadium in Chattogram on Saturday, December 10. The hosts lead the series 2-0 and are going for a clean sweep, while the Indians are desperate for a win.

Also Read: SA20: “Looking Forward To Watch Him Play And A Few Other Youngsters That Have Performed Really Well” – AB de Villiers On Dewald Brevis

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India National Cricket Team India tour of Bangladesh 2022 Yuzvendra Chahal